Found some photos posted of the new Siemens 200 mph train from Moscow to St.Petersburg.

http://englishrussia.com/?p=3032

Are going to set back and watch the Rooskies pass us up? Where’s Curtis E. LeMay when you need him?

Hello,

It appears the Siemens Velaro RUS trainsets are capible of 200 MPH but may not be operating to that point on the Moscow to St. Pete line. They may have a ways to go on line upgrades to get that speed.

The French TGV just reached ~ 200 MPH service on the newly opened Paris to Strasbourg line and I believe this is the only TGV line to have this service speed at this time. This is the line where they scorched the countryside at 350MPH+ on their white knuckle record run a few years ago. Reaching this level of perfromance was a progressive effort over many years....gradually.

Perhaps the masses in Russia have the economic climate to desire such a system, but do they politically? It was this line that had the massive derailment last month caused by a bomb blast??

Riding at 200 MPH in France is one thing but in Russia it may be bit more questionable. I recall seeing the videos of the TGV record runs on the Paris-Strasbourg line and I belive the highway overpasses were relatively low-side-walled and unfenced. The French seem to be confident that the masses will not hoist cement blocks over those low walls. The Russians cannot keep IED placers off their line....too many miles....too much unrest?

More power to them.

As for here, we want too much freedom to go start our cars and go where we want any time we want. That will not be given up so easily. I would sure like to ride the train for the commute and get additional work done and not waste time behind the wheel.......however, no train route goes to my workplace....unless I start to work in Philly or the suburbs of Philly.

The best shot we have is to upgrade the Corridor and push the Acela's to 185 MPH. The Corridor may be too congested to support such lively activity!

Regards,

Randy

Am I missing something? What does this thread have to do with railway preservation?

Later!
Mr. Ed

I was just watching a PBS documentary on the SP Daylight service, which was kicked off with much fan fair for a 'new' service in 1937. Today's premier train is tomorrow's history, so it is worth noting. We did recently celebrate the 40th anniversary of Metroliner service, which got it's share of mixed reviews when it debuted, and car of which is now in the RMPA.