Originally Posted by
tom11011
I think its more likely that high speed trains will ultimately replace air travel. They are getting faster and faster all the time.
Check out this new train in Japan, does over 300mph!! and is fastest in the world. It uses magnetic levitation to get the train up off the tracks reducing friction.
Elon Musk (Tesla Motors / SpaceX) wants to do the same thing with magnetic levitation but with a twist- encase the railway in a vacuum tube thereby eliminating air friction completely. Called the hyperloop.
Japan approves plans for world's fastest train line ? RT News
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/0...h-speed-train/
Hiperloop it a wet dream. they say it would cost 6 Billion, the Environmental impact study will cost at least that!
The California High Speed Train LAX/SFO city-pair should be ready by 2030.. but then they'll add 10 more stations on each end stretching from San Diego to Sacramento and then it won't be high speed anymore.
We can only hope they'll have a green smoking car!