High-Speed Trains

[iCe]

Germany has the ICE and the new Transapid

France has the TGV and TGV Atlantic

Britain, France, and Belgium operate the Eurostar

Europe also has the Thayls, among other high-speed trains

Japan has its Shikansen

China, too now operates high-speed trains

Even the USA now has the Acela Express

When, if ever, will Canada see some? It's quite ironic, seeing that Bombardier (a Canadian company) makes the ICE and the Acela express, yet VIA Rail doens't have any high-speed trains. Now Bombardier has a new train, called JetTrain. Do you guys think Canada (VIA Rail) will buy it? Or will Canada just sit in the dark-ages in the railroad world?

[petertenthije]

In most cases the trains are not the problem, the track is. In Holland the NS has a nice shiny fleet of ICE-3s. They are used internationally linking Amsterdam with Frankfurt.

From Amsterdam till Emmerich (in Germany, the first station after the Dutch/German border) the train goes just as fast as normal intercity trains, roughly 140kph. Between Emmerich and Dusseldorf the train picks up speed to 250kph. Between Dusseldorf and Emmerich these beauties finally reach modified track and go on their top speed.

Needless to say that this specially modified track costed a lot of money. The question now is, would the Canadian government be willing to invest that money into modifiying the tracks? If they are willing, then they can buy a nice shiny fleet of trains with the spare change... :twisted:

Maybe it would be an option to consider the Italian Pendolino. It tilts so it can take the corners faster. This increases the top speed without having to extensively modify the track, although some modifications will still be required. Of course it would not eb TGV or ICE fast, but it would be very fast nonetheless.

Still expensive though...

[iCe]

If they are willing, then they can buy a nice shiny fleet of trains with the spare change... :twisted:


That is funny! :D