Published: June 06, 2009 11:27 pm      

I have something better

Eighteen billion dollars for a high speed rail system ... Bull. Why so much money to rebuild an antique system that is non-profitable, over priced, costs more to maintain, can not compete with air travel, hits cars, and can still come off the tracks. I’m sorry, but this is the year 2009 and there are still people with outhouses.

So why should America follow in the footsteps of countries that we have given technology to in the first place. We should be the leader in and not the follower behind of a new advanced High Speed Transit System. I’m talking about a new way, a modern way, an advanced technology way, a new High Speed “Transit” System. A system that does not run on unsafe tracks, one that cannot hit or be hit by cars or would be virtually impossible to have one train crash into another. In fact, a High Speed Transit System that would cost 1/10 of but most likely much less than the proposed unreal amount. Just to reinvent the now antiquated system designed by foreigners, a system that would only work at high speed where the track is perfectly straight and set in concrete.

OK you ask, "What Technology then do we already have?" What does America have that no one else has? How can you possibly build a new High Speed Transit System at such a small cost? It’s easy, the answer is at every amusement park you have ever been to. Haven’t figured it out yet. The average rollercoaster installed, complete with all the whistles and bells, with more safety designed into it than a 747, and complete with one mile of track cost around two million dollars, not the two billion that a new High Speed “RAIL” System with just 10 miles of track would cost. After all were are talking of a High Speed Transit System for People not cargo, even though a new High Speed Transit System could carry mail and light cargo, of course I would design a separate train type for cargo but we are concerned with moving people and at an affordable cost, not the ungodly billions proposed. I am a Disabled Veteran, Retired Design Engineer. I have already designed such a system. One that would not only be High Speed, but would be safe, easy to maintain, low cost to build, and would be a showcase for the world to follow. Not an over priced, Non-American designed, ground hugging, car crashing, fuel guzzling, antiquated heavy (high speed does not mean light weight) monsters, just waiting for it’s next serious accident to occur.



Richard Lancaster

Design Engineer – RCL Consultants

Newton