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Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi

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nickhuynh777
03/09/09

In reply to Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi
You would think the japs already had hi-speed internet on their trains since they always seem to have the latest gadgetry for cell phones etc...
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Hello Mister Walrus
03/09/09

@nickhuynh777: The trains are too fast. The internets can't catch them.
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GitEmSteveDave_ My Brute Dojo Code CDIAFIFE
03/09/09

In reply to Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi
It may have Wi-Fi, but can it beat Jeremy Clarkson driving in a Nissian! I think not!
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Mister K
03/09/09

@PirateCaptain_GitEmSteveDave: Nissan*

And I don't know what you were watching, but it was definitely Bill Oddie driving that GTR.
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GitEmSteveDave_ My Brute Dojo Code CDIAFIFE
03/10/09

@FIRSTdukeofwellington: I used to own a Stanza. I was just about to leave work, so that explains the spelling mistake. And thanks for reminding me it was Oddie. Better than Beardy Branson.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

In reply to Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi
I'm all for high speed rail projects like this in the US. Even for the government spending money to support it. As long as the trains are developed, designed, and manufactured here in the US.

We could use the technology from that to move rail transit in general, both cargo and passenger, forward in this country.
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enm4r
03/09/09

@Lite's Posse: Is on Broadway: Having lived in Japan, I can tell you that the bullet trains were pretty nice. But we used them primarily because equivalent air travel was significantly more expensive. Unfortunately in the US that's not really the case.

That and it would take a significant increase in new routes over what Amtrak currently services.

This coming from someone who lives and dies by the L in Chicago and doesn't even own a car. If we're throwing money at rail in the US, it should be toward smaller local light rail to help commuters, not try to compete with airlines.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@enm4r: Like I said, it wouldn't be just for improving passenger transit, but cargo as well.

Considering you live at a major AmTrak hub you can easily hop a fairly cheap ride to the East Coast. Then again you can take the L out to O'Hare if you want to. Too bad I've seen a few too many electrical fires on tracks to feel very confident in the L and I don't even live there.

There definitely needs to be an increase in metro rail projects.
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Gann
03/09/09

In reply to Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi
The TRE from Dallas to Fort Worth has had free wifi for a few years now. It's about time Japan caught up to Texas.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@Gann: I'm sure the Japanese bullet trains have lapped the TRE a few times by now.

The TRE is basically sub-licensed local Amtrak commuter service.
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OMG! Ponies!
03/09/09

In reply to Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi
Great. Now the GOP will complain how the stimulus package includes a fictional high speed train between Disneyland, Las Vegas AND the Akihibara district.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@OMG! Ponies!: I'd support that train personally. Though I don't know why it'd have to go to Vegas...
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

In reply to Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi
High speed tentacle porn here we come!
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GitEmSteveDave_ My Brute Dojo Code CDIAFIFE
03/09/09

@Lite's Posse: Is on Broadway: Have you tried Tentacle Grape Soda? You gonna get Graped!
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Gann
03/09/09

@Lite's Posse: Is on Broadway: I'm curious - does 'high speed' modify tentacle or porn?
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@Gann: Yes.
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Mediocre
03/09/09

In reply to Japan's Bullet Trains to Get Wi-Fi
Why can't we get bullet trains in the US?
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@Mediocre: We have some, and were going to build more until congress cut Amtrak funding years ago.

Mostly it's a distance issue. The Eastern Metro corridor has a much higher population density than the West. If you built a high-speed line people would want you to stop everywhere instead of at key hub/spoke points.

Not to mention we're still using a lot of train tunnels built in the early 1900's such as Stephen's Pass.
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acispades
03/09/09

@Mediocre: Hi-Speed Rail Line in California soon :D
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@AciSpades: This project will probably be derailed by texting conductors as the entire thing crashes and burns.
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GitEmSteveDave_ My Brute Dojo Code CDIAFIFE
03/09/09

@Lite's Posse: Is on Broadway: IIRC, it's b/c they can't sequester the rail lines in urban areas like they do in other countries. So they have to go slower to avoid things on the track/stop if someone is on the tracks. I remember when I took NJ transit, we moved quicker up north Jersey where the rails are elevated, but slowed down when we got south, as you were crossing roads and through neighborhoods. I was on a train at least three times when someone drove onto the crossing, and broke down/turned onto the track,a nd got stuck on the rails.
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OMG! Ponies!
03/09/09

@Mediocre: Also, the tracks are owned in large part by CSX. Freight is given priority over passenger. Which results in delays along major corridors like Boston/Richmond, a route than moves more commuters than the airlines along the same route.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@OMG! Ponies!: And during high heat seasons there is a minimum time between trains due to heat build up on tracks causing warping.

And several other reasons... Rather than switching to a Highway style system where the government owns/maintains the rails and the companies pay taxes towards the infrastructure instead.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@Lite's Posse: Is on Broadway: Also the bonuses paid out by allowing passenger (AmTrak) throughput to be on-time is less than what the companies make by making Freight service a priority.

Of course, much of this could/would be easily overcome if there were 2 or 4 pair of track instead of the typical 1-2 pair.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
03/09/09

@PirateCaptain_GitEmSteveDave: Well, they could elevate the tracks, or tunnel them. Tunnel boring technology is becoming more and more viable on a regular basis.

However they have the same problems with CalTrain in the bay area.

Pretty much they need to start building viaducts and trench/wall off train routes in such areas. But, it gets expensive.

Personally, I love trains. Whenever I have the time/money to take them I will. I took the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle last Dec. Amazing trip.
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