04-16-2018, 02:58 PM
(04-16-2018, 02:15 PM)ijmorlan Wrote: Initially, HSR could travel down Kent St. in Guelph exactly as it is to the existing station, at the speeds currently used by GO trains. Of course, I would hope that they would at least upgrade the tracks so they could go a little faster than now even in that area, but the point is that the existing infrastructure can be used here and there where running slowly gets around a significant problem.
The track in Guelph could eventually be elevated, too, eve without maglev. If we run diesel, or diesel-hybrid, or (someday in the future) fuel cell, we don't need the catenaries, either, which would reduce construction costs substantially. VIA could start HrSR service with their current locomotives, or even something readily (and inexpensively) available such as the MP54AC used by GO.
The challenge with all-new tech such as maglev is the massive investment to do anything: totally new elevated track, elevated stations, and obviously maglev trains. With our currently low levels of train ridership (yes, we all know it's largely because of the current service levels) it would likely be politically impossible to get approval to spend maybe $30B+ for a maglev line.
So while maglev is fantastic, today's governments are perennially cash-strapped and massive infrastructure spend like this is extremely unlikely. On the other hand, the incremental approach of HrSR or conventional HSR could work.