by george matthews
neroden wrote:FYI, regarding distance, I was just looking, and when/if France completes the Montpelier-Perpignan connection, there will be a complete high-speed rail connection from London to Madrid, which is about the same distance as NY-Chicago.I am pretty sure that one can already get to Madrid within 24 hours. Try this web site for details of what one can do already. http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm#London%20to%20Madrid
But note that TGV building in France is part of the national Energy Policy. That is, the rail lines do not have to make a profit in themselves. As they are electric they are part of the policy decision made in 1973 to reduce reliance on imports. France never had any oil.
In Britain where we were an oil exporter for several decades the government did not feel the need to electrify everything. Now we are again an importer.
