Trains or Tumbrils?
I envy the Japanese—also every other civilized industrial country with a rational passenger rail system. Why on earth has the US government, for years, tried in varying degrees to make passenger rail 'pay for itself' when every other form of mass transit is heavily subsidized? What're the total subsidies for aircraft, airlines, and airports? I don't know, exactly, but it's huge. Likewise with highways. What is it that all these other countries know about train travel that we don't? I'm not just asking rhetorically: I've been looking off and on for weeks for a good person to talk to about this subject, without any good leads so far, and I invite your suggestions regarding people to ask. Thanks! (Photo credit to Mainichi Shimbun, for fair use, slightly photoshopped by me.)
Posted by George Kenney on June 7, 2006 9:05 AM 
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Comments
Due to reduced friction a train takes only roundabout one tenth of the energy for transportation compared to a car. When newer trains brake, they feed electricity back into the grid.
The German Railroad company Deutsche Bahn has a training program for their Lokführer to help them drive more economically. On an average this brings another 10% of energy reduction.
This weekend I will travel from Dortmund to Berlin. Taking the train this means 3.5hrs of travel from city center to city center. If I took the auto, well, my auto is not very fast, it would take more than 5.5 hours. If I took a plane, I would have to book in advance. I would gain 15 minutes door to door, but only if the transfer from the airports is congestion free. And it would cost a lot more money.
I always wondered why you don't buy the German Transrapid for Intercity travel. It could go as fast as 300mph and is even more energy efficient that a conventional railroad system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transrapid).
-jsl
Posted by: jsilence | June 8, 2006 4:43 PM
I love the european rail system. I travel frequently in Germany since I am a German speaker, and never need a car. Unfortunately too many people worldwide are turning to cars. What a shame.
Posted by: Julie | June 15, 2006 3:56 PM