Watching TV now, Thanks!
Rotor
This was a re-broadcast, and far above the usual History Channel level of accuracy.
Last time it was on, it was threaded in the Trains Magazine forums. Some technologically challenged individual tried to argue that the last segment, on an American company’s maglev efforts, represented something entirely new and different, even though it was featured right after the segment on Japan’s successful efforts at a high-speed version (361MPH!) The difference is that the American effort is focused on an urban people-mover, not intercity service.
It is interesting to know that somebody is doing that kind of research here in the US. I wish them luck.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - without maglev)
Mag-lev chatter has been around for a billion years now. Advantages as an urban transit system…quiet, no “motors” which not only reduces noise, but also no pollutants. Drawbacks? Uses alot of electrical power which has to come from somewhere. Construction is far too expensive for most cities.
I knew it was a rebroadcast, but I still enjoy watching them. Heck, I bought all the “Trcks Ahead” videos, and still get them out to watch them again. I’d rather watch repeats of train shows, rather than most of the drivel on TV these days.
Rotor
Speaking of Tracks Ahead, whatever happened to it showiing on PBS? I used to watch it all the time. Now the only train stuff on Time Warner Cable is some kind of boring History Channel show.
I hadn’t seen this particular episode, though it looked like some of it was made up of previous episodes (the Maglev portion, especially). However I was pretty fascinated by the section on the ‘proving’ grounds at Pueblo. Especially on Anti-climbers–that one loco sure tore up that old hopper car!
Good episode. Next time it’s on I’ll remember to DVR it.
Tom [:)]
For those that have dumped the old style cable networks and have satellite tv, look for RFD-TV in your guide. Mondays at 6 pm the ‘‘Trains and Locomotives’’ programs have some very interesting and informative videos. The well worn and inaccurate History and History INT. offerings leave much to be desired.
I just bought a 5 DVD (10 hour) set called “Railway Journeys” “The vanishing age of steam” at Best Buy for $17.
Just threw that in for those others of you who search the dial for train shows.
At $40 million a mile to build a test track at a California college, I wish they’d stop wasting money and spend it on something more practical like affordable college tuition for legal U.S. residents.[xx(]
Tracks Ahead is still on PBS in the Nashville market.
Now now … the original Railroads were BUILT by immigrants. lol.
“Legal immigrants”, there’s a difference.
Yep … there is a difference. Back then, there was no such thing as an “illegal immigrant”. We actually had the audacity to welcome foreigners into the country.
The reason we have so many illegal aliens now is because we have made it illegal to enter the country without honoring the gods of bureaucracy for a few years first.
I just watched a bright college educated young lad from England go throught the bureacratic lunacy for two years so that he could come here to marry the American to whom he was engaged. They very nearly decided that it would be easier if she moved to England.
Have you priced a mile of urban freeway or urban passenger rail lately? The people who are spending $3-5 BILLION per property to build resort casinos in my home valley consider 40 megabucks to be chump change.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Yeah, but freeways and urban rail actually get used here. Maglev isn’t practical for this country. Even if we perfect the technology, the equipment would probably be built “elsewhere”
Thats right, because the majority of the people decided thats the way they want it to be.
High population density but moderatly long distance travel is where maglev could best be used. Bostoon to Washingtoon, around the Chicago area, and LA to SanFran might be viable, but any new system faces an even greater expense than building “tracks” and that is REAL ESTATE!
**HEdward-**Yep. Right of way real estate can be pretty pricey in high population areas. It’s not like Maglev can make use of any shared tracks or infrastructure.
Shared tracks and infrastructure is the primary thing holding passenger AND freight back. The existing infrastructure was originally built by hand more than 100 years ago and thus follows the path of least resistance. The turns are too sharp and the hills are too steep.
It’s time for the “clean sheet of paper” approach that was used to design the interstate highway system.
Of course it will be expensive. Most large national projects are. But look how many jobs it will create while they build it.
Some of these package deals are a great value, as certain packages are made up of older Pentrex/Green Frog programs that have been licensed out to third parties. You can usually tell which ones based on the titles of the included programs.