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China Sets Sights On Rail Record

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the amazing-they-aren't-broke-after-the-olympics dept.

An anonymous reader writes "China is aiming to produce the world's fastest operating conventional train for its new high speed rail link between Shanghai and Beijing, achieving speeds up to 380 km/h and cutting the travel time between the two cities from the current ten hours to under five. The new rail link is scheduled to be completed within four years. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways' Deputy Chief Engineer has announced that China will be able to manufacture the new trains within two years."

4 of 360 comments (clear)

  1. Where's the fire? by Howitzer86 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wow. Why aren't we in the US trying to do this? We used to be so worried about the Communists beating us. But now it's like we don't even care. Where's the fire?

    1. Re:Where's the fire? by FooGoo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The project would grind to a standstill under the weight of lawsuits be environmentalists, the not in my back yard crowd, and gad flys. If it progressed it would grind to a standstill under the weight of poor project management. If it progressed it would grind to a standstill under the weight of poor engineering decisions. If it progressed it would be plagued with cost over runs. If it was finished it would cost $2,430 dollars a ticket one way and no one would use it.

      --
      People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them
    2. Re:Where's the fire? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      In other words, the drive to do great things in the USA has been undermined by the mindless cynicism of people like "FooGoo" who see only problems.

      Guess what folks, we can (and we should) overcome every engineering, environmental and NIMBY objection if put our minds to it.

      I don't care if it is a cliche, but we put a fucking man on the moon almost half a CENTURY ago and have been content to rest on our laurels ever since.

    3. Re:Where's the fire? by FredMenace · · Score: 5, Insightful

      So how is it that we can manage to build 8-lane highways (complete with cloverleafs and overpasses and feeder roads), but can't manage to build a pair of tracks?