Trains contributed so much to our country’s vitality, but unlike some other nations, we almost completely abandoned ours. (Sorry Amtrak.) Now everything about training seems, once again, exotic, adventurous – and best of all, practical.
In California, we’ve been promised high speed trains many times. Finally, we voted to re-build our rail system within this state, one link at a time, but now the start date of the program, like most big statewide improvements, is uncertain.
I’m counting the days/months/years until I’ll be able to hop on a high speed express from the northern part of the state where I live, to the southern part, where the rest of my family members live.
The “high-speed” part isn’t even the most important. I won’t mind spending time in a comfortable seat watching the world go by, instead of circling to find a parking spot at the airport. I don’t mind if it takes a while longer to arrive by train than it takes to fly to the same destination.
I’m ready – really really ready.
Ó Anita Garner 2009
Here’s the official state website: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/
It is pie-in-the sky, “Whoops, there goes another rubber tree plant!” optimism, pointing to a construction start in 2012 with completion eleven years later, 2021. Never mind that these estimates are historically one-third of the reality in time and expense.
Even if the stupefying 30-billion dollar state budget deficit was miraculously eliminated, we’re talking thirteen years minimum from now to completion.
Speaking only for myself — I’ll be 71 and can’t imagine any need to get from here to San Francisco in two or three hours.
While I agree with the sentiment regarding “looking out the train window instead of circling the parking lot trying to find a place to stash my ride” … I gotta’ agree with Dave in that it’s probably not gonna happen any time soon. Thing is, this current California Clown College of elected state representatives are still working on a decades old plan to get the Bay Area bridges retro-fitted from the “last” earthquake. And I don’t mean 1906! It just “seems” that long ago.
Fastest route south? Well, my guess would be to hang out around the 101 entrance and … stick a thumb in the air. With some luck, a strong headwind and a mini skirt – chances of makin’ the grapevine before winter are (at best) 50-50. And in the end, that may be 20 minutes faster than the bus. Or my old 10 speed.
Actually, I may not have the legs for a mini. Maybe the bus WOULD be faster.
I’ll get back to ‘ya.