Where are all those bankrupt High Speed Rail Countries? May 9th, 2011
Opinion by Noel T. Braymer
There is nothing new about participants in a debate being selective in the “facts” they use to make their points. Much of the hysteria about High Speed Rail is based on the claim that around the world there are only 2 High Speed Rail routes that have made any money. The basis for this can be traced to a study by the Cato Institute (a libertarian think tank largely funded by Oil interests). The original Tokyo-Osaka Shinkansan line and the Paris-Lyon TGV line are the only 2 so far that have paid off all of their capital costs. That is because it takes time to pay off an investment, these are the oldest HSR lines, and most High Speed Rail services are new. If we used the criteria that a business need pay off all capital costs before being considered “profitable” then we would have few profitable businesses. Lenders are more than happy to lend money as long as an enterprise has the revenue to service the debt. All business depends on credit to function. Read the rest of this entry »
What is being planned for our future? April 7th, 2011
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
Is HSR a Cargo Cult for California? February 24th, 2011
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
The States of Ohio and Wisconsin bail out the California High Speed Rail Authority January 19th, 2011
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
The decisions by the newly elected Governors of Ohio and Wisconsin to pull their states out of the High Speed Rail Stimulus funding program have led to the recent announcement of 624 million dollars of that money will be redirected to California. This was on top of 715 million the state was recently awarded for HSR construction in the San Joaquin Valley which brought to 3 billion dollars the state had received from the Federal Government. The CAHSRA had seemingly out of the blue announced plans just after Thanksgivings to spend 4.3 billion dollars for 65 miles of the first leg of HSR construction between Corcoran and Borden with Fresno in the middle. Eleven out of the 65 miles will be needed to connect this new trackage to the BNSF north of Fresno allowing the trackage to be usable by other trains. Called by many the train to nowhere this segment had limited utility and the fact it was only in one congressional district didn’t go over well with other elected officials. This additional 624 million which will be matched with Prop 1A bond money will now bring the total available for construction to $5.5 billion. This should be enough to extend the new tracks almost 55 miles from Corcoran to near Bakersfield for a total of 120 miles making this a more viable project. Read the rest of this entry »
Building HSR on the Installment Plan December 22nd, 2010
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
Bikes and Trains December 15th, 2010
By Noel T. Braymer
Passenger Trains can be good customers for Freight Railroads November 22nd, 2010
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
Creating an Oceanside to San Bernardino Corridor November 11th, 2010
Opinion by Noel T. Braymer
HSR: Fantasy versus Reality October 15th, 2010
More Shovel Ready Stimulus Please October 8th, 2010
Opinion by Noel T. Braymer
