High Speed Rail Update
I took the Eurostar high-speed train from London to Paris and back today. It was cool going from London to Paris in 2 hours, particularly when I am not one of the taxpayers who get socked with the subsidies. A couple of thoughts:
1. The investment for true high speed rail is simply staggering. The dedicated track, the complete elimination of all grade crossings, the fences, the terminal facilities (St Pancras had a beautiful but obviously pricey makeover, for example), the trains -- its hard to even imagine the cost, and one quickly becomes convinced high speed rail advocates are either sandbagging the cost or not really talking about true high speed rail.
2. This moring, my son and I were the only passengers in our car! Even on Friday afternoon, the busiest time (everyone is coming back home for the weekend), a third of the seats were empty. I am not sure this thing could make a go of it at 100% capacity but surely it is taking a batch at this utilization.
