Reply #11: I see what you mean now. And agree 100%, with modifications. [View All]

[reprobate]

I can see a three legged rail system.

Local and express high speed rail, as you suggest.

I can also see a replacement for the airlines, which are the most inefficient and insecure means of long distance travel. And by extension the most expensive in terms of both fuel and infrastructure.

I don't know what the trade of point between airline and mag-lev would be, but off the top of my head, I would think that anything less than about a one hour flight should be left to the high speed rail, with mag-lev taking over for more than that. Thus the NE corridor would be HS rail, and NY-ATL would be mag-lev.

I disagree that steel rail is not glamorous. I'm old enough to remember when rail travel was not only fun, but an adventure. There is something very social about rail travel. You have the opportunity to meet and exchange views with people you wouldn't have met otherwise. That is not possible with airliners, and I think we are the less for it.