China plans 236 mph rail link between Shanghai and Beijing

by Scott Carmichael on

The Chinese rail Ministry has announced plans to link the nations capital with its financial capital. Beijing and Shanghai are a little over 650 miles apart, and the current rail link takes over 10 hours.

The Chinese claim to have mastered the technology required to build their own high speed trains, and plan to operate them on the new line at speeds up to 236mph (380 km/h) which should cut the current journey time in half.

Previous high speed rail projects in China include one of the first commercial Maglev links which operates between Shanghai and the airport. In 2005 a regular high speed link between Beijing and Tianjin was opened and is based on the highly successful German ICE rolling stock.

High speed rail links have changed the landscape in Europe, and dedicated high speed lines already link the UK with France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.

Being able to commute from city center to city center in under 5 hours will prove to be a very efficient solution in China, and will most certainly eat away at the airline market. The line is scheduled to be completed in 2012, a mere 4 years from now.

How long before we’re able to travel in isolation?

by Abha Malpani on

It depends on my mood whether I want to chat to the person next to me when I travel. I’m quite happy reading my book, listening to music, gazing outside the window, or taking a nap on a train/bus/plane. Although not often have I had the misfortune of being stuck with an annoying chatterbox in the next seat, I have had many mental episodes of I-just-want-to-break-his-jaw-so-he-will-keep-quiet.

That’s when I wonder: how long before transport systems with private, one-person seats become a norm?

Australian designer Hamit Kanuni Kuralkan probably had his share of bad next-seat passengers in order to come up with this design(see image): a train with personal booths or capsules to sit in by yourself.

Although not a bad thought, I look at the design and the words that override everything possibly positive about the idea are “claustrophobia” and “depressing”. What if I pass out? And what happens if I want to travel with a friend?

I rather have some open space and an annoying neighbor.

[Via: Boing Boing]

Largest indoor train display in the world at new train lovers’ attraction

by Jamie Rhein on

Train-love runs deep in Ohio, there are scenic railroads, train stores, train societies, clubs of train watchers and old railroad station restaurants. Here is another example.

Friday, August 1 was the grand opening of EnterTRAINment Junction, a train attraction that is being billed as “the only train-themed family entertainment center in the world.” Located 30 miles north of Cincinnati, not far from Kings Island amusement park, makes this a place to pair with other family fun type ventures.

Geared to folks of all ages, EnterTRAINment Junction, boasts five separate sections. One of them houses the largest indoor train display in the world. What makes it the largest? There are 90 different trains that run on several different tracks through a variety of scenes and at various heights. Remember that’s just one section.

Another section houses the American Railroading Museum. Here, the history of railroading in the United States is traced.

Specifically designed to grab kids’ attention, the section Imagination Junction has interactive displays to keep kids busy and teach them about trains in the process.

Seasonal Junction, also interactive, is geared for both adults and children. This is a walk through type experience that will change throughout the year.

The last section is the Train Expo where train enthusiasts can show off their stuff and gather more information. Rotating trains exhibits, a library and artifacts are part of the offerings.

As mega attractions go, the cost for admission is not bad. Right now, everyone can get in for $9.95, except kids under 3 are free.

Photo of the Day (07-02-08)

by Jamie Rhein on

What a New York City shot! At first, I thought, where is this place? And then, “Aha!”

Taken from a distance by Damon Green, this view of people waiting by a train track is an every day New York experience that is often lost in the busy shuffle of life there.

It’s great to have time to see how these three men are sitting on this bench waiting. This reminds me a bit of the Edward Hopper painting “Nighthawks.” It’s the voyeuristic quality perhaps.

The lines and color tones of this shot are also exquisite. Well, done.

If you have shots that capture an experience where you are, please send our way at Gadling photo pool. It may be picked as Photo of the Day.

Track Zurich’s trains in real time at SwissTrains.ch

by Justin Glow on

I don’t live anywhere near Switzerland, but this Google Maps mashup from SwissTrains.ch makes me wish I did.

The map is a real-time visualization of public transportation in Zurich, showing exactly where all trains in the city are at any given time. Oddly enough, the system isn’t GPS-driven. Instead, it’s based on the timetables, “as Swiss trains are almost always on time.” Makes sense. Hovering over the icons as they zip around town shows the train’s name, next stop, and current speed. Eventually the system will factor in delays based on data parsed from the official website of the national railway company in Switzerland.

This home-brewed, unofficial tool should definitely be the model for other city’s public transportation websites. It’s fun to watch, and I can only imagine how useful it is for someone who relies on public transportation in Zurich on a daily basis.

[Via Grow-a-Brain]