| HIGH-SPEED VEHICLES | LOWER-SPEED VEHICLES | HIGH-SPEED INFRASTRUCTURE | CATENARY/POWER LINES | LOW-SPEED INFRASTRUCTURE |
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Nanjing-Shanghai Electric Powered Fast HMR
(220 mph) Train – China
Nov 2010 | Amtrak Coast Starlight – Diesel-Electric, Heavy Buff-Strength Compliant – and Slow | China Shanghi-Beijing HSR Support Piers Under Construction in situ – Nov 2010 | Japan HSR Catenary – Power Line Infrastructure Is Massive & Extensive | Old U.S. Freight Lines – Wood Ties, Stone Ballast, and Steel Spikes |
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| Shinkansen N700 series | Amtrak Acela, Electric Powered, But Still Heavy & Buff-Strength Compliant | China: 5 levels of HSR Lines Parallel to Shanghai-Beijing Line NOV-2010 | Catenary In Kyushu, Japan
Is Expensive Infrastructure That Is Vulnerable To Severe Storms, Especially Typhoons | Rotten 19th Century-Style Rail Infrastructure Is No Foundation For Incremental Improvements In Passenger Rail Speed |
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| French TGV, Cannes, FranceElectric Powered By Overhead Catenary | Amtrak Acela, Electric Powered, But Reliance On Catenary Means Delays From Snow & Ice Storms | China Shanghai-Beijing HSR Dual Track Infrastructure – NOV 2010 | Catenary Leading To Utazu Station, Shikoku, Japan | These tracks are no starting point for the FRA’s incremental improvement strategy. We need to start over or lose our competitive edge. |
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| German Inter-City Express (ICE) Made By Siemens – Electric Powered By Catenary | Amtrak Diesel-Electric, Heavy Buff-Strength Compliant Slow – And They Still Derail | China Shanghai-Beijing Fast HMR Infrastructure Countryside North Of Nanjing- NOV 2010 | Overhead Catenary and Vehicle Pantograph – Significant Maintenance Is Required | Modern 20th Century Rail Infrastructure Does Provide A Foundation For Incremental Improvements In Passenger Rail Speed- China Nov 2010 |
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When Fast HMR Derail, Catastrophe Ensues
German ICE 1998 | | | | |
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