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220-mph Solar-Powered Train Proposed In Arizona
Mike writes "An ambitious Arizona company has recently revealed plans for a solar powered bullet train that will streak across the desert at 220 mph, traveling from Tuscon to Phoenix in 30 minutes flat. Proposed by Solar Bullet LLC, the system comprises a series of tracks that would serve stations including Chandler, Casa Grande, Red Rock, and Marana, and may one day be extended to Flagstaff and Nogales. The train would require 110 megawatts of electricity, which would be generated by solar panels mounted above the tracks." Local coverage of the plan takes a harder look, noting that Solar Bullet LLC is two guys who are now asking local governments in the towns at which such a train would potentially stop for $35K for a legal and feasibility study. Total cost is estimated at $27B.
Two guys pitching a feasibility study? Sounds like the monorail episode of the Simpsons.
I scream. You scream. I assume that means we're both acquainted with the problem. We proceed.
Whether or not this would fly will all come down to cost.
I bet that regardless of cost, it won't. Because, well, it's a train, and last time I checked trains couldn't fly. :-P
traveling from Tuscon to Phoenix in 30 minutes flat
It is estimated that the journey at night could take up to 12 hours.
Smivs on the intertubes!
Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth ...
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!
What'd I say?
Ned Flanders: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
Patty+Selma: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!
[http://www.snpp.com/episodes/9F10.html]
I can see the fnords!
Why yes. Yes it is! Welcome to the Obamanation
Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
Solar powered train is more of a Shelbyville idea...
Solar Bullet LLC has already built trains in Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook, and by golly it put them on the map!
Sometimes, life itself is sarcasm...
I had the same idea a few years ago, except mine was along the lines of a highway, with the power going to cars. The road would be set up like a giant slot car track and the pannels would provide power to it. As a bonus the solar panels would provide shade to reduce AC use and the structure would be useable for running data lines between cities.
Ha! Shows what you know. Bet you'll tell me next that trains can't travel through time!
The enemies of Democracy are
Regardless of the idea, I loved the 1950's style "World of Tomorow" style rendering they did. Take that you kids and your fancy CAD packages and 3D modeling.
Well, sir, there's nothing like a bona fide, electrified, warp-six, ion sail!
What'd I say?
Ion Sail!
What's it called?
Ion Sail!
That's right! Ion Sail!
For 27 Billion I would rather have robot cars that drive themselves.
Great! For safety reasons, we'll just make them bigger, longer, sit multiple people, and ride on tracks. Will that work for you?
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Apparently not.
Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
Define "warp".
Then show me a functional warp drive.
Then realize that sails "warp".
Maybe you should have learned how to sail as a kid, then you'd take a different tack.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
I AM CONTACTING WITH YOU ON BEHALF OF THE RAILS CONSTRUCTION PLANING CORPORATION SOLAR BULLET LLC. I HOPE THIS DAY FINDS YOU WELL. MY ASSOCIATES AND I ARE PREPARED TO START THE MOVING FORWARD ON CONSTRUCTIONS OF A 220MPH SOLAR-POWERED BULLET TRAIN TO MAJOR CITIES IN ARIZONA AND ALSO TO BE PASSING THROUGH THE SMALLER CITIES SUCH AS YOURS. THIS WILL BE A TWENTY-SEVEN BILLION US DOLLARS PROJECT ( $27 000 000 000 US ) WHICH WE ARE PREPARED TO MAKE LARGE INVESTMENTS IN AT NO COST TO YOUR TOWNSHIP. IN ORDER TO RELEASE FUNDS WE WILL BE REQUIRED TO DO A VERY SMALL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AT THE COST OF THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND US DOLLARS ( $35 000 US ) TO SECURE THE TWENTY-SEVEN BILLION. THIS STUDY COSTS WILL BE SPLIT BETWEEN THE CITIES OF ARIZONA ON THE PATHS OF THE SOLAR-POWERED BULLET TRAIN AT THE COST OF FIVE-THOUSAND US DOLLARS ( $5 000 US ) PER CITY. PLEASE SEND IN HASTE THE FIVE-THOUSAND US DOLLARS TO OUR ASSOCIATES SO WE CAN BE MADE ABLE TO SECURE THE TWENTY-SEVEN BILLION US DOLLARS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! WARMEST REGARDS, BILL GAITHER, CO-PRESIDENT, SOLAR BULLET LLC RAYMOND WRIGHT, CO-PRESIDENT, SOLAR BULLET LLC
-- I prefer the term "karma escort."
Maybe you should have learned how to sail as a kid, then you'd take a different tack.
Perhaps he just needed to buy a clew...
Suppose that they propose to do just what you propose.
Then, along comes Algore and company complaining that the project will result in global desalination... Of course, humanity's contribution to changes in the salination of the ocean will be very small, but that very small change will doom the earth to ecological disaster...
Wh47 d1d j00 541, 31337 15n't t3h r0xor5 ne m0r3???
Don't go overboard with the analogies. Try to keep an even keel here.
-- I have a private email server in my basement.
Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.
http://www.accountkiller.com/removal-requested
I'm sure this wouldn't stop him, but I'm pretty sure that taking water out of sea water would leave it more salinated.
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World"
1 John 4:14
Don't go overboard with the analogies. Try to keep an even keel here.
Oar knot.