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Japan's maglev train runs test at over 310 mph (with video)

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Re: Japan's maglev train runs test at over 310 mph (with video)

#91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depends on the cities. NY-SF by train will remain nonsense forever, but the eastern seaboard and a bunch of other clusters (LA-SF, Great Lakes stuff, I think the obama admin had a map of zones they wanted to put HSR proposals for a few years back) could be serviced by high-speed train, even more so with maglev (which extends the competitive range of train against plane) My personal rule of thumb[0] is modern HSTs (28…

Even with the fact that planes fly slower now than in the 60s, I'll gladly fly DEN-SFO. I can be finishing dinner in Palo Alto when you're in the Salt Flats.

Not sure why you're replying to my comment, I noted the upper competitive range of HSR against plane — as far as I'm concerned — is 1500km with 1000km for superiority. Denver to SF is more than 2000km, it's way beyond what I consider competitive HSR ranges with current techs.

Re: Japan's maglev train runs test at over 310 mph (with video)

#92

I wish this mode of transportation would be practical and affordable here in the US. I like the light rail in Denver, and the subways in San Francisco. Made getting around town really easy and affordable. Unfortunately with the distance between cities here it is more practical to take a flight.

Depends on the cities. NY-SF by train will remain nonsense forever, but the eastern seaboard and a bunch of other clusters (LA-SF, Great Lakes stuff, I think the obama admin had a map of zones they wanted to put HSR proposals for a few years back) could be serviced by high-speed train, even more so with maglev (which extends the competitive range of train against plane) My personal rule of thumb[0] is modern HSTs (28…

On your personal advantage — most high speed train designs are pressure sealed nowadays, so there's even less than on conventional trains.

Re: Japan's maglev train runs test at over 310 mph (with video)

#93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unless it's raining/snowing/windy in Denver or SF (or even an unrelated location like Chicago or Boston which might prevent your aircraft from getting to DEN in the first place) in which case you might be sleeping in an airport terminal while masklinn is finishing a late supper in Palo Alto. I write this as someone who has had two cancellations and 6 delays over ten air trips in the past three months.

And what are the stats for delays in mag-lev ecosystems? Given that you know how unreliable flight ecosystems are and can quantify the delays, I'm assuming you have a basis for comparison in making such a confident statement.

Holy Extrapolation Batman! Or, "We can estimate, using data from extant high-speed rail networks." I think you'll find that HSR generally has good on-time performance where it is not forced to share lines with freight trains (ie, not Amtrak). Since there are no mag-lev freight trains, and no plans to build any, it's reasonable to think that mag-lev trains would only be affected by weather in very extreme circumstances (not your run of the mill snow storm).

Re: Japan's maglev train runs test at over 310 mph (with video)

#94
post #81
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's precisely why these kind of high speed trains have no future. They cost way too much in infrastructure.

Right. And the initial railways that crossed the US were affordable?

Right. Did we have planes, cars and so on when we build the initial railways?

I thought so.

Re: Japan's maglev train runs test at over 310 mph (with video)

#95
post #89

I wonder how fast they could make the train if it had the smaller cross-sectional area of the Hyperloop pods? Another way to put it: What about a 310 mph maglev on a solar-panel shaded elevated track between SF and LA?

Even better, do away with MagLev altogether, and have them "float" the way an air hockey puck does. (You have read Elon Musk's proposal, haven't you?)

I have, but I am thinking more steps ahead than you. The air bearings are at a bit of a disadvantage. There's less experience operating them for this purpose in the less controlled environment outside of an enclosed tube. Also, there's much more operational experience and existing R&D for mass transportation. Lastly, a smaller cross section would give the advantage of reduced drag. Though it would be larger than in the hyperloop case, it would be a lot smaller than the conventional train.

(Paid attention to basic economics, physics, and math, haven't you?)

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