While you morons complain about .....

LadyJazzer wrote: Yes...It might cost the AynRandroids a few tax-dollars "for the general welfare"...And we can't have that.... They'd rather build a few more bombs to blow up the Chinese, rather than learn anything from them.

Imagine that...

Brilliant! LJ wants to learn from Foxconn and Norinco about government owned industry and worker's rights. And VL wants to import Chinese coolies to build new rail when we are shutting down lines like Tennessee Pass.

We already have a pretty extensive and efficient rail transport system for products. Product doesn't need to move at 200 KPH . If you want to attract passengers rail will need to adopt the Southwest Airlines model, fast clean, efficient, economical, dependable.
right now the cost estimates are:

To compare, Amtrak’s operating expenses run at about 45 cents a passenger mile. Even at 30 cents per passenger mile in operating costs, that translates to $72 for a 240-mile trip,

Smartplanet.com .

$72/person for a 240 mile trip. For that same $72 I can fill the car with gas drive that 240 miles and back with 4 people and a dog in the car, saving $300 not counting the dog. plus I have a car when I get to my destination.
The math 4 people 8 fares at $72 each $576 less $72 for a tank of gas $504
lets also back out the cost of owning a car, say 40 cents/mile $200

So to be competitive the tax payers will need to subsidize high speed rail by almost 24 cents per passenger mile.

Science Chic wrote: I love taking the train from here to CA - the scenery is beautiful, the ride relaxing and stress-free. The trains I've been on in Europe have also been fun, and very convenient for getting around (and they weren't even the fancy new ones).

I'm really looking forward to the light-rail opening up here in Lakewood next May - it'll make going to Broncos games completely hassle-free! :woo hoo:

I depends on the route. Took the train from Denver to Chicago once and it was fun, sleeper and diner car.

The next part Chicago-New York was complete misery in a slow commuter car with lots of stops.

I am looking forward to the new Light rail in Lakewood too, its right up the road from here and it supposed to start in April!

LOL wrote: I am looking forward to the new Light rail in Lakewood too, its right up the road from here and it supposed to start in April!

I need a light rail line that goes to the north metro area from cold springs... right now, the best RTD can offer is a two and a half hour ride to work.

LOL wrote:

Science Chic wrote: I'm really looking forward to the light-rail opening up here in Lakewood next May - it'll make going to Broncos games completely hassle-free! :woo hoo:

The next part Chicago-New York was complete misery in a slow commuter car with lots of stops.

I am looking forward to the new Light rail in Lakewood too, its right up the road from here and it supposed to start in April!

Don't get too excited....The new 12 mile line from the Gov Center in Lakewood to Union station will include 12 stops. That's one of the biggest complaints about the light rail in general - too many stops and it takes too long.

But, for Broncos games I'm guessing it beats the ransom you get charged for parking these days.

OmniScience wrote: Don't get too excited....The new 12 mile line from the Gov Center in Lakewood to Union station will include 12 stops. That's one of the biggest complaints about the light rail in general - too many stops and it takes too long.

But, for Broncos games I'm guessing it beats the ransom you get charged for parking these days.

No express service? That kinda stinks...

Grady wrote: If you want to attract passengers rail will need to adopt the Southwest Airlines model, fast clean, efficient, economical, dependable.

I agree..Southwest pays their Union baggage handlers $31/hour while the rest of the industry is stuck around $23