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submitted 6 hours ago by blibla@slrpnk.net to c/memes@slrpnk.net
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[-] Mirshe@lemmy.world 35 points 4 hours ago

Actually, the trains aren't moving faster. I don't think there's a single significant span of passenger rail rated for more than 60mph in the US.

[-] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 21 points 3 hours ago

Plus commuter trains get delayed frequently to make way for cargo trains.

[-] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 15 points 2 hours ago

That's because Amtrak only owns their own rails in the NEC (North East Corridor) Boston-NYC-Philly-DC. Everywhere else they are riding on privately owned freight railroad tracks, and the Amtrak trains are often shunted for freight to have priority.

[-] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 9 points 2 hours ago

Which is illegal, but unenforced

If the government owns the lines, it's a different story, but most of the rail lines in the US are privately owned. So in most of the US commuter rail is using freight tracks on contract, with one of the stipulations being that the freight trains get priority.

[-] frezik@midwest.social 2 points 23 minutes ago* (last edited 22 minutes ago)

Other way around. Amtrak does have priority on all tracks per the 1973 Amtrak Improvement Act. However, this isn't enforced, and the rail companies are kicking and screaming to keep it from being enforced.

[-] maevyn@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 3 hours ago

NY to DC is solid, it’s the one inter-metro train I’ve taken that’s faster than driving or flying (when accounting for security and travel to/from the airport).

Using it really makes you realize how much better the train system could be. Not even bullet trains, and they’re so much better than cars.

[-] AtHeartEngineer@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

Absolutely agree. It's so much less frustrating too

[-] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 5 points 2 hours ago

Brightline from Orlando to Miami. It's not fast by international standards but certainly more than 60mph

It's also super expensive so....

this post was submitted on 25 Nov 2024
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