California’s Imaginary Solar-Powered Bullet Train
washingtonexaminer.com | June 16, 2023 | Jack ElbaumWhen California voters passed a referendum in 2008 to construct a high-speed rail connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco, there was no shortage of skeptics. Forty-seven percent of the state voted against the plan, and a group of think tanks issued a nearly 200-page report that year arguing costs would skyrocket, ridership would not match projections, and the environmental benefits were overstated.
The skeptics, of course, have been vindicated. But few thought it would be as bad as it has since turned out to be. Fifteen years, and countless setbacks later, not a single mile of track has been laid, and estimated costs have risen to $128 billion — or $200 million per mile. There is no money left, and even the secretary of the California State Transportation Agency now admits, “We can’t get this project done without federal support. It’s just not going to happen.“
Nevertheless, Forbes reported last week that the California High-Speed Rail Authority now plans for the entire project to be powered by solar energy once it is complete because…why not? After all, it is not as if this bullet train is ever going to exist anyway. As such, its visionaries certainly have an interest in periodically devising new, wholly unrealistic schemes that appeal to those who voted for it as a way of distracting from their incompetence.
Forbes noted the plan includes “552 acres of solar panels generating 44 megawatts of electricity” and that “work could begin by 2026 to ensure it’s ready to power trains by 2030.”
Other Add-Ons to California’s Bullet Train Promise: …
Hookers and blow.
Free tours to Pelosi’s pad where he took a hammer blow to the head poor baby.
I thought Hunter was the head poor baby.
They will serve “Sun Baked Bird of the Day” in the dinning car. All locally sourced of course.
Note that by proposing to make it solar powered, they open up a world of “Green” possibilities for that federal money they want. So now ALL of us will have to throw money into this pit.
… to make Bakersfield into a destination city rivalling San Francisco…
… unlimited homeless encampments along the right-of-way…
… free transportation for migrant workers…
… to name it after the patron saint of hopeless train planning, Jerry Brown…
AI powered on-board toilets.
Virtual Realiteats.
Is that like some sort of food thing or a way for Millenials to relive some long denied childhood experiences?
I ain’t saying. But all new technology trends toward porn.
Other Add-Ons to California’s Bullet Train Promise: …
Coming soon! Faster passenger service to Mars than Elon can provide.
Other Add-Ons to California’s Bullet Train Promise: …
Trans Trains.
On cloudy days there will be plenty of volunteers to pull the train.
When the train moves it is called a Wizards train.
Pronoun, gender confusion lessened by not hiring engineers named Casey.
Mere existence of boondoggle can be used as counter-argument against White supremacist accusations.
Need Fangbeers electronic knowledge for this but..if we attach windmills on every train engine and car..as the sun power drives the train, the windmills will generate power to be stored and used on cloudy days..it can go on forever like a perpetual motion bullet train OR will the drag coefficient of the windmills equal the solar power, causing the bullet train to not move..just be one heck of a destination restaurant/ bar car../hostel for the homeless..
It could rival the renown of the Restaurant at the End of the Universe!
Needs a good tail wind and/or a pot of Texas chili.
Two terms for the same thing.
A daily battle of international spies fighting over mysterious briefcases and/or safe passage of diabolical passengers all the while making witty quips in a neon or pastel environment.
Would you settle for a daily battle of California politicians fighting over a mysterious chinese spy while she makes witty and diabolical quips about their “passage” the previous night?
Yes.
Other Add-Ons to California’s Bullet Train Promise: …
French ticklers for everyone!
Gender themed cars
It will be the first one to reach Clarksville.
It will be featured in a new upcoming movie… Throw Your Two Daddies From The Train.