I am a huge fan of traveling by train.
Growing up outside of New York, we had an extensive rail network that we could take advantage of.
After college I took my first large (more than 1-month) trip abroad -the fairly typical Eurpoe by Eurorail. I loved how the trains there could get you into just about anywhere you wanted to go.
Years later, traveling to Japan I was amazed by the Shinkansen service and its ability to swiftly carry us across the country.
All that said, for years I commuted to work via train here in California and the experience was pretty poor. The train took much longer than driving and I needed to drive to the train station (or double my commute time by taking the bus to the train station) and I had to have a shuttle take me from the station to the office and back. And when the train broke down, it really left you stranded. I arrived 4 hours late for work one day.
Which is why this map makes me excited. It depicts the high-speed rail systems that are proposed over the coming years here in the states. With the right experience, train travel can be so much better than the alternatives.
A few examples?
- How about departing and arriving into the heart of the city instead of commuting out to the airport. Have you ever tried to get to O’Hare during rush hour?
- What about an overnight trip from New York to Atlanta with a comfortable bed. Leave the city after a nice dinner and drinks and arrive for breakfast after a good night’s sleep.
- Downtown San Francisco to Los Angeles in 2 hours?
- Boston to New York in speed and comfort – even during a wicked Blizzard or Nor’Easter.
I hope the system gets the funding that it needs and that Americans realize the benefits and convenience of an efficient, comfortable rail network.
