Between this and Brightline West, California will have two high speed trains to ride in the not too distant future.

​@@ChrisJones-gx7fcAnd it looks like more serious discussions have begun to connect both lines. 'The High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency approved a community workforce agreement and a memorandum of understanding that pledged to use union labor during the constitution, operation and maintenance of the Southern California High Desert Corridor bullet train project. The 54-mile high-speed rail line would serve as a connector between the planned Brightline West Victor Valley Station and the California High-Speed Rail in Palmdale, California. The California High-Speed Rail project will eventually connect Sacramento, California, to the north and San Diego to the south."

@@artandarchitecture6399 this is for Merced-Bakersfield, which is set to open in 2030-33. That’s less than a decade away, and Brightline West aims to open its route between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga in just four years time.

You always wanted the useless CAHSR that has little benefits. So long American have appetite in driving, the CAHSR. Most of CAHSR supporters are avid car drivers

@@commentorsilensor3734 how is there little benefits

Are those long pagoda viaducts really necessary, no wonder the job is taking so long & high cost

⁠@@maly2ts408pergola, and yes they are. The high speed tracks cross the existing freight tracks at an angle, and to maintain the broad curves needed for high speeds, well over 200 mph, it needs the support structure that doesn’t encroach on the freight rail right of way. The freight railroad also requested more space between their tracks and the structure, so in case of a derailment it won’t hit the structure.

@@commentorsilensor3734many of us drive because we have to, and I say this as someone who does actually enjoy driving and loves road trips. It’s the being stuck in traffic that sucks, or long hours on a monotonous Interstate, only able to move around when you stop and get out, not to mention how expensive gas can be or the wear and tear on your car, and then having to find parking once you reach your destination. High speed rail will provide a faster alternative to driving for journeys over 100 miles, as well as faster than air travel for up to 500 miles, and one that’s also more comfortable in addition to more convenient and frequent than flying, for around the same price as airfare or a tank of gas + parking. It’s providing another option for travel across the state and between its major regions, not taking any away, just as it is all around the world. Those who currently have to drive or fly will likely opt for HSR, meaning less traffic and less crowded airports for those who’ll choose to keep driving and flying.

Most modern high speed trains definitely have screens (and the two companies they've narrowed it down to definitely produce those types of trains).

I guarantee you they will have screens.

Short distance commercial air travel is inferior to HSR.

They are referring to Deutsche Bahn. “This week, Deutsche Bahn, the Authority’s early train operator, began the process of assembling rough full-scale mockups of trainset interior design” (California High-Speed Rail Authority, 10/27/2023).

@@RailFireProductionsmakes the selection of Siemens for the trains all the more likely, given DB has a long history with them.

@@ChrisJones-gx7fcThey could certainly provide their opinion to the authority to convince them to go with Siemens, given that they’re advising the Authority on numerous other items.

​@@RailFireProductionswhy would CAHSR choose a foreign operator rather than Amtrak? Or is the intention that Amtrak would eventually take over operations? And perhaps more importantly, why would they choose a German operator when Germany famously has some of the worst on-time performance of any major European country?

@@LimitedWardThe San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) will be the operator for the interim operating segment. “SJJPA is expected to be the Operating Agency for the HSR EOS [early operating segment]” (San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority).

That’ll more likely be Brightline West to Las Vegas. Their train is planned to have a private party car that groups can rent. Not sure how big the call is for a party car in the Central Valley or between SF and LA, at least compared to the SoCal-Vegas crowd.