Build the Bullet

I felt the need to join this century, so I made a myspace account for BTB. So add me as a friend and I will try to update is as much as I can.

 You can find it here

Kansai Train <~~ a picture to pass the time
o it looks as if Atherton and Menlo Park are still being problem children in our quest to build the best possible High Speed Rail system in California.

 Also some environmental dot orgs are blasting the choice of the Pacheco pass route. I understand there concern, but right now I feel the biggest need is to look past this problem and just get the train built. Yes there are advantages and disadvantages for both routes but I feel the need to just get the rail line built should be the biggest goal.

So between my wife totaling her car and my internet being down for over 2 weeks, it has been a rough time. So we are back. Posting to restart soon!

So another day and another post on the CAHSR news group about Atherton and Menlo Park getting there collective panties in a bunch over grade separation. So they feel and I quote “… high-speed rail up the Peninsula is a disaster…” This by Menlo

Park Councilman Richard Cline.

 So lets see, not having to wait for a train and a crossing is a bad thing? So getting more and better rail service is evil? Heck I even guess getting more cars off the road and less traffic is a nightmare. But what do I know… I am just some random guy with a blog.

Here is a map of the area, so you can see how many crossing the CAHSR grade sepparation will take care of.

View Larger Map

Anyway enough of my ranting, it’s hard enough staying angry to rant when you having Hawaiian BBQ.

 Alstom Unveiled a new AGV train over the past week. It is rather cool looking, but not, in my view as cool as the Series 500 Shinkansen.  And that brings up a good question, what will the CAHSR use as equipment?

There are a lot of good choices, but I hope for the looks of the FASTECH 360 with the interior of the ICE 3, or at least something comparable. In my own view the Japanese trains are efficient, but do not have as nice of interiors as the European trains.

 What ever it is I just hope the train set they choose is reliable, good looking and gets the job done well.

Wikipedia is my hero.

So over the past few weekends I have ignored this blog, but for good reason. A high school friend of mine, who I haven’t seen in forum years stopped buy the bay area for a visit. My birthday was during this time as well. BUT that is not all, the 2008 WRC season kicked off with Rally Monte Carlo, with even though Sébastien Lobe ran away the race; the battle for fourth was epic.

 So back to CAHSR, and all the fun that I have missed while out enjoy time with friends.

The CAHSR had a seminar on Feb 1^st, put on by Toshiji Takatsu an adviser to the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency. If any made it to this even please let me know what was covered and how it went. Thanks

It also sounds like the NIMBYs in Menlo Park and Atherton are trying to derail HSR and really don’t get it. They think that Grade separation is bad. That putting in trenches and over passes will ruin the feel of there towns. Or some other such nonsense.

And Finally the Maglev nuts are still out in force…

It is about a 28Min interview with Ron Dridon.

Lesten to it here from KCBS website.

We did it, my wife and I this evening booked our tickets to Japan. This isn’t the first time we have gone nor will it be the last. Yes I will be updating my blog while I am there and bringing you pictures of trains and such over there.

Well it looks like it is starting in earnest. The hit peaces are now trikeling in to the press. I know that “cheep” cattle truck air lines like Southwest are not fans at all of High Speed Rail. Read “California High-Speed Rail Project Dead? Not Dead Enough” from North County Times for a good laugh.

The weather has gotten really nice (relatively) here in NorCal. There was a decent car show in Japan town that I missed because of work. ||Some pictures from the event here ~~>> JDM Theory Pictures on NorCalEvo. || 

 Some people are amazed that a car guy like me can be very pro mass transit; I guess I am just one of the few that get it. Cars are not an appliance like a refrigerator or Microwave. They are a tool for enjoyment like a Surf Board or Hang Glider. I really wish I could bring back the Sunday Drive, but be able to commute to where ever by train, trolley or subway.

I have always wanted to ask someone in Government why we spend so much money on roads and yet to condition on the major roads for the most part suck. Pot wholes, ripples and heck parts of the road falling apart. I hope it isn’t just me.

Anyway onto my main point, I am on the CAHSR mailing list and got a rather interesting post.

This Message by Emeryville Mayor Ken Bukowski is quite interesting, here I will copy/past it just incase you can’t get on.

   Read the rest of this entry »