Railways: On a fast track to recovery

For a while the US train network attracted little interest: ignored by investors and consigned to the history books by travelers, it was as if its days were numbered. But, things are changing!

Investors are back. The multi-billionaire Warren Buffet staked his interest with a huge investment of $US 34 billion into railway firm BNSF back in 2009, and governments the world over are upgrading rolling stock.

So, why the return to favor? And why now? Well, a number of factors have led people back; perhaps the most important is the development of high-speed trains.

Previously, the rail network was best suited to shunting huge, snaking locomotives piled full with aggregates and materials across the states. But since top speeds have hit the big numbers, and environmental issues the headlines, passengers are again finding the time for trains.

They are proving really important for commuters: we’ve always known how great the subway is, and how handy local overground routes can be, but for longer routes, forget it. Until now…

Amtrak’s Northwest Corridor line is a great example: Passenger rail traffic is expected to double to 28 million by 2030 and keep on climbing to 60 million after a further 20 years.

Leading the way in train technology, Japan stunned the world when it revealed the ‘Bullet Train’ back in 1964. And with similar technology, California is hoping to introduce its own high-speed railway.

Should the network go ahead, commuters from San Francisco could expect to be in Los Angeles in just 2hrs 40 minutes! And no turbulence either!

For commuters it’s all about saving time, yet for lovers it’s more important to share time. If you fall into the second category, perhaps spend time together on a scenic train journey?

There are still plenty of traditional locomotives chugging around, so maybe a meal and a scenic train ride will help you both let off steam?