Chinese break rail record

[Conki]

+100

The US can learn a thing or two from China in many aspects these days. There's a distinction between Chinese goods and CHEAP Chinese goods. e.g, Apple products vs the crap that's sold at HF. It's US consumers that demand cheap crap.

Ahh you were faster.

[T Verdier]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/...igh_speed_rail

Wonder if it's built like most things in China? Fall Apart in a year or so? I have rode the TGV and the German Ice trains and don't get leery of high speed rail but would not want to ride their's.

Has the us built a 300mph train yet? Hmm let's not throw stones lol

[Fusion]

a couple things. If one of these trains ever derailed, the western world would never hear about it. the story would be jumped on and covered up before the fires went out.

second, the Chinese only EXPORT shit.

Nope
and
Nope

As stated before me, each category of goods has many levels of quality.
The fact that crap is imported is to be blamed on the importer. This happens when they buy the dirt cheapest filth they can find (usually chain stores). I have been importing and doing business with china for 5 years now and the most important thing is to find a reliable manufacturer with high qual. products. They will do anything you tell them. The best thing that an importer can possibly do is fly over there and visit as many manf's as possible and chose the best. The price doesn't necessarily have to be much higher than the crap.
I saw a report about a small (30 empl.) company making violins for the last 20 years. European importers said that their quality is getting very close to the best Italian violin makers. You just gotta know where to look.
And don't forget that Japan used to be the crap manufacturer back in the 70's and 80's. Notice how far they've come with all the technology and stuff in a couple decades. And even Japan copied tons of US made products back in the day.

[CaptCanada]

And don't forget that Japan used to be the crap manufacturer back in the 70's and 80's. Notice how far they've come with all the technology and stuff in a couple decades. And even Japan copied tons of US made products back in the day.

Excuse me, they still do. Japan doesn't invent technology they just improve it. Even in the world of cars, I've talked to guys that work at car factories over here. When they start something new they look at US cars and study every little facet about'em then go to the drawing boards.

[Fusion]

I think it was Clarkson who said that the GT-R is a real-life video game.

[mrsleeve]

This is goverment lead. There's no way it can be low quality.
Plus they know that if one of these things flys off the rails with 400? people onboard, the humiliation would be overwhelming.

Its china man, the killed off 70million just for the shits and giggles of it. 400+- is not gonna phase them at all, more than that Govt or not dose not mean its quality, ask the russians about their nuke reactors in naval vessels or power generation about govt quality

that said its a publicity stunt is all I am with saint do not want to ride this thing

[kishg]

yeah well, haters gonna hate.. let's see in about 10 years..

[M-technik-3]

Has the us built a 300mph train yet? Hmm let's not throw stones lol

Nope and most likely you will never see it built here, we gave up on rail in the 50's when the pulled all the trolley and rail lines up. Mag-Lev and other technology has been around for years we just have too many lawyers that would prevent us from utilizing this.

[Wiglaf]

it's not the lawyers, it's the auto industry.

It's also the total lack of ability on part of the government to make something this useful happen. Here in OH they've been trying to get a high-speed line going from cleveland-colombus-cincinatti (3C corridor).

It's a great idea until you cut so many corners that the average speed is under 60mph, then the estimated ticket price is more than what you would spend on gas. At that point you're almost begging for failure, there is no time or cost advantage so nobody will bother dealing with run schedules. Then based off the shitty turnout it will be argued as a waste of money.

It's not doing better because not enough people see the value in it, bringing cities closer to eachother.

[twism]

The TGV hit 570 km/h

Read the article ;)

The Xinhua News Agency said it was the fastest speed recorded by an unmodified conventional commercial train. Other types of trains in other countries have traveled faster.

A specially modified French TGV train reached 357.2 mph (574.8 kph) during a 2007 test, while a Japanese magnetically levitated train sped to 361 mph (581 kph) in 2003.

[Ryann]

It should have some Walmart decals on it.

[FredK]

Its china man, the killed off 70million just for the shits and giggles of it. 400+- is not gonna phase them at all, more than that Govt or not dose not mean its quality, ask the russians about their nuke reactors in naval vessels or power generation about govt quality

that said its a publicity stunt is all I am with saint do not want to ride this thing

There's one fundamental difference between the Soviet Union (which is the epoch the nuclear plant in question and subs were built) and China. China has money, and when they make a 5 or 10 year plan, it hits targets and milestones, instead of falling WAY short.

It's not really a publicity stunt. That would imply the speed run was a dog and pony show. The amount of high speed rail being constructed right now in China is staggering. Yes, it gathered publicity, but it is no stunt. It could be dismissed as propaganda, maybe, but every country does that.

I am not an apologist for their behavior. It's still a wild land but to dismiss "China" as a cut-rate production facility for shit you buy at Wal Mart would be a mistake.

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^

While I do agree that there is a big difference is the money between the Red countries, there is still the fundamental disregard for human life when it comes to State run and built facilities.

Yeah I know they are building lots of High speed rail there, but really it will take them 40 years and Trillions in investment to bring it to availability to a reasonable amount of the population.

Yeah you can get good quality there, but its far and few between. And yes we have fucked our selves when it comes from a production stand point. We have given away all the tricks of the trade, as it were, and we would be hard pressed to match Volume for Volume (again that disregard for human life ) But I would be willing to wager we can still keep up, out innovate.

[Fusion]

If the news article is propaganda, than wtf is the Discovery channel? :D
I don't feel they're bragging, just showing that they're able to deal with a huge problem (billions of people travelling) on a high level.
I don't care about the speed, I'd be amazed by a huge number of the trains being built in short schedule, like the olympic stadiums.
Because if you think about it, who cares if a train can cross Japan in a couple minutes? China needs it to bring in work force to the cities. They can't just go out and buy a swapped E30 and DD it 20 miles. That's why the US doesn't need trains like that. Same here in Europe. Today trains are regarded as vacation transport for soccer fans, sightseers and/or alcoholics. Charter buses are cheaper if you really need to get somewhere.