Rocketing Down The Rails To D.C.

For me personally, the only way to get anywhere between Boston and D.C. is by train. It can be a little more costly, but far more economical when you look at the big picture and of course much better for the environment than driving a car and more comfortable than a bus. There's something about riding a train that is..not to sound hokey....a part of the American spirit and whatnot. Anyways, we've got the train and currently the regional service takes 3.5 hours to go either to Boston or D.C. The "high speed" Acela isn't much faster but it costs considerably more. In these times of high gas prices and a sinking economy, something must be done. Something, like a rocket train.

From The NY Sun:

A two-hour rocket train between New York and Washington is the goal of new legislation that cleared a key hurdle in Congress last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mayor Bloomberg is scheduled to meet with one of the sponsors of the legislation, Rep. John Mica, a Republican of Florida, on Friday to discuss a proposal that would create an American equivalent of Japan's Shinkansen and France's TGV bullet trains, which can travel at speeds of more than 300 miles an hour. The mayor in recent months has been promoting the idea of increased federal investment in infrastructure.

"We're interested in hearing from the congressman on the idea," a spokesman for Mr. Bloomberg, Andrew Brent, said.

If passed, the legislation would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to solicit requests for proposals from private developers to create a two-hour "door-to-door" high-speed rail service.

The thing will most likely not have actual rockets on board, but the technology is certainly out there to make the commute two hours between cities. High speed rail is essential for our country in these times and starting with NY and DC is an excellent way to do it. If one can go between London and Paris at nearly 200 mph and other destinations at over 300mph, then we can appropriate the funds for high speed rail in America, just as long as we get rid of the current President that opposes it.