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0 pointstensor2y ago0 comments

This is definitely not true. Europes high speed trains are far far faster than driving. For example, Rome to Milan via italo is 3h - 3h 40min while driving is 6h. Even the "normal high speed" train is only ~5h.

Similarly Marseille to Paris is only 3.5h by train while driving is almost 8h. It entirely depends on your source and destination. Between major economic hubs train is usually faster than driving, and as you can see by a significant amount. For other routes the train is similar or slightly slower.

In North America, on the other hand, the train is almost always MUCH MUCH slower than driving, if you can take it at all. Not to mention far more expensive.

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sarchertech2y ago

The OP said “unless you have exceptionally fast rail” and was talking door to door. When you add in getting to the station, waiting on a train to arrive, and getting from the station to your destination, the average speed of the train does need to be a good deal faster.

tensorOP2y ago

The context of this thread is travel between major economic hubs. So if you are in say Rome, it does not take 30 min to get to the station. Also, the OPs wording made it sound rare, especially given his claim that it is rare, but the examples I gave are typical, not rare.

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f6v2y ago

For me “exceptionally fast” is maglev. 200 km/h train is normal at this point.

bluGill2y ago

300km/h trains are normal without maglev as well. The record for maglev is faster than regular rail, but the record for regular rail is much faster than any in service maglev. For rail the limit is aerodynamic drag which has nothing to do with the wheels. So that maglev can go faster in ideal situations doesn't matter as in the real world you will run the trains much slower. Around 300km/h seems to be the best compromise of going really fast while still not paying too much for aerodynamic drag. You can run trains faster (and a few do), but the energy costs get out of control.

If 300 km/h isn't good enough, then get on an airplane. The altitude means much lower aerodynamic drag and the distances you are traveling often need airplanes anyway. Trains are good to around 1000km of travel distance. If your trip is longer fly.

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