Amtrak needs California Zephyr to be extended to San Francisco when the new Transbay Terminal opens in 2017. It also needs high speed trains since it is the longest li
ne on Amtrak. It has an average speed of 47 MPH-shame! shame! shame! That is slow. So let's make a train that goes 150 MPH maximum speed on the CZ. So the extension to San Francisco involves making a tunnel called the Transbay
Pass. You know that track that diverges off the current Amtrak tracks near the Bay Bridge. Well the CZ will use the track (made to three) and two will go underground into the Transbay Pass. It goes under the bay until it reaches the
Transbay Terminal to connect with California High Speed
Rail and Caltrain. Also there are high speed trains needed to be added to CZ. The trains will be 16 car long double decker trains and look like the E1 Shinkansen. The stations are the same and freight will operate on a separate track so they aren't hit by high speed trains. Promis you, it will make CZ one of the busiest Amtrak routes.
1) Since when does length determine speed???
2) What is your cost estimate???
3) Why have you come up with so many other outrageous plans???
4) Have you looked at Google Maps for even a second to see if the terrain allows it???
5) Why must a brand new Transbay Terminal/Tunnel be constructed just for some long distance trains to CHICAGO??? Even if there were 150 mph running the entire way through, this service would be appealing to NOBODY!!! The people who want to get to their destination quickly fly, and the people who love being able to view scenery at a moderate pace take the train. It would still be too long of a schedule to accommodate anybody wishing to make a quick trip. Where are your reports/documents that show that there is a strong reason to connect Winnemucca to Hastings, NE with Acela-speed trains???
6) Wouldn't the costs to passengers to pay for construction costs be too outrageously high that nobody would ride it???
7) Tying back in with #1, have you not read anywhere that the best corridors for high-speed rail development do not have a distance of over 750 miles???