Chinese experts 'in discussions' over building high-speed Beijing-US railway

[cteno4]

China-Russia-Canada-America line' would run for 13,000km across Siberia and pass under Bering Strait through 200km tunnel

 

pretty wild pipe dream! 

 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2014-05/08/content_17493399.htm

 

http://theweek.com/article/index/261724/what-would-it-take-for-china-to-build-a-train-to-the-us

 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/08/chinese-experts-discussions-high-speed-beijing-american-railway?CMP=soc_567

 

and folks think the ny-dc mag lev is crazy!

 

jeff

[Bri]

I don't think i'd like to trust it.

[Guest ___]

Ah, just like Pocket Trains

[Ochanomizu]

Hello Mr Jeff

 

Thank you for bringing this topic to my attention.  This is exactly the kind of project that the human race should aspire to achieve.  Not only will it reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but it will greatly assist in breaking down cultural barriers.

 

For example, imagine if you could ride Eurostar or Thalis all the way through Africa to Capetown.  That entire continent would be opened up to tourism.  The socio-economic changes would be very dramatic indeed.

[cteno4]

Yes i agree great aspiration, but also needs to be somewhat practical. we have the issue here in the states with rail in that the infrastructure cost skyrocket when you start going long distance and the the time factor makes it so most dont want to spend too much time on travel compared to air. also doing work like this in the bearing straights would make the chunnel look like playing in the sandbox at home. ive worked up there and it can be brutal even at the best of weather! permafrost issues well noted as well.

 

cheers

 

jeff

[kvp]

This would only be practical if they wanted to use it for freight or move many millions of people daily between the two continents. Technologically there isn't really a big problem, it's just expensive and not really profitable in the short or middle term. (permafrost is actually good for tunneling, freezing the ground is a common practice to allow sand to be tunneled through)

 

Imho, better cargo ships (wind powered container ships) would decrease transport costs and pollution for the fraction of the investment. For passanger travel, fuel cell powered airplances with electric ducted fans would be a more economical and environmentally friendly way. So imho this would be a good future for cross continent travel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VoltAir http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIHBDaySH6U

[cteno4]

But above ground permafrost is a big problem in making sure it stays frozen! Climate change may cause big changes in this.

 

Yes I agree there are much more practical ways of moving stipuff.

 

Airship travel would be very pleasant to have again as well!

 

Jeff

[lurkingknight]

unfortunately the people of my fatherland are grasping at dreams that they have no means or commitment to achieve properly. They like talking up a storm with grandiose claims, and they do very well with lipstick and mascara. I would be very cautious and downright suspicious of anything that lay underneath the cosmetics of the plan or anything they'd actually build.

[Ochanomizu]

What?

 

A Trojan Horse?

 

Never !!!

[Davo Dentetsu]

It's... a massively long term scheme.  But what has the planet got to lose?  Sure, no sane person would try and make a sleeper service viable on such a line, but the freight benefits would be beyond astronomical.  I say it's good, but I'll never be around to check it out by the time it's complete.