Since the Otakon 2023 theme is trains, let's have a discussion thread all about trains!

[KSweeley 63]

2023's theme for Otakon is trains, since I haven't seen a discussion thread set up for trains, let me start one if that's OK with everyone!

 

A pretty recent development regarding trains in the US is there is a group known as the Northeast Maglev that is working with the Central Japan Railroad Company on an attempt to bring Central Japan Railroad's SCMAGLEV (SuperConducting MAgnetic LEVitation) train technology to the NEC (the NorthEastern Corridor).

This high-speed passenger rail train line is proposed to go between Washington D.C. and New York City with an approximate one-way travel time between D.C. and NYC of 1 hour with an estimated operating speed of 311 MPH: Northeast Maglev - DC to NYC in One Hour

Here's the page about the technology that Northeast Maglev is going to use for this high-speed passenger rail line: Superconducting Maglev - Technology - The Northeast Maglev

Currently, a section of the proposed Maglev line is undergoing environmental review by the Federal Railroad Administration as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. This section that is undergoing environmental review would have the SCMAGLEV train traveling between D.C. and Baltimore (from what I've read, the estimated one-way travel time between D.C. and Baltimore would be 15 minutes). The environmental review process has recently released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (or DEIS) and currently being worked on is a Final Environmental Impact Statement (or EIS) which according to the timeline site is supposed to be released sometime in early 2023: See the Project Timeline and Status - The Northeast Maglev The completion of the environmental review is the release of a Record of Decision (or ROD) which the FRA will state whether or not they will approve or not approve the proposed construction of the SCMAGLEV line between D.C. and Baltimore.

 

There is a SCMAGLEV line currently under construction in Japan, the Chuo Shinkansen. This Shinkansen line is expected to "connect Tokyo and Nagoya in 40 minutes, and eventually Tokyo and Osaka in 67 minutes": Chūō Shinkansen - Wikipedia

What amazes me about SCMAGLEV trains is one seven-car train currently holds a world record for fastest rail vehicle at a recorded speed of 603 km/h (375 mph): L0 Series - Wikipedia This record is still not broken: Railway speed record - Wikipedia

[Daniel Perales 90]

Speaking of trains, I just made my Amtrak train reservations for next years Otakon. Only cost me $62 round trip (New York to Washington D.C. and back).