[Gasification] Aviation'sroleinglobalwarming...9/11 aftermathproves theoriesonH20incontrailsin dramatic fashion.

[Max Kennedy]

Although the fuel efficiency of trains is much better have you priced them lately?  I am planning a trip from NE Ontario to the Okanogan region of British Columbia this summer and compared the 2. Plane is $400-500 return each depending on day of the week, I can take my dogs thereby avoiding kenneling costs and it gets you there in a few hours.  Train is $2700 ONE WAY for the regular seats (3 day trip), $3400 for a berth and $4200 for a private sleeper.  I can't take the dogs on the train, according to Via and would have to add another $600+ for a 2 week stay in a kennel.  That makes a 2 week trip for 2 people cost a minimum $12000 return not including expenses while there.  This is the same cost as an all inclusive, moderately expensive balcony suite on an upscale cruise ship for the same period of time including the airfair.  I know this because I had one booked for this summer before throwing a blood clot in the lung 3 weeks ago and having to cancel! 
 The trip to BC is sort of a replacement for the big 5 yr anniversary cruise.  As long as this kind of cost imbalance exists trains will not be the preferred mode of travel no matter how efficient they are!  Additionally theyare never on time because freight makes more money and any time there is a conflict the passenger train stops and sits on a siding waiting for the freight to go by.  Between here, Kirkland Lake, and Toronto, a matter of about 700km, the train is alawys at least an hour late, I can only imagine what a tip of thousands of kilometers would mean in delays.  As long as planes can afford to fly trains will not be competition.  Maybe someone with clout should talk to the train companies.  Forgive my rant but trains are a bit of a sore point right now.

Max K.


----- Original Message ----
From: Greg and April <gregandapril at earthlink.net>
To: Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification <gasification at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 12:18:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Gasification] Aviation'sroleinglobalwarming...9/11 aftermathproves theoriesonH20incontrailsin dramatic fashion.

 OTOH, allot of aircraft are wasting fuel by making short hops 
of less than 100 miles - they barley get to cruising altitude and they are 
descending to land.    In this case perhaps a ground based transport like 
high speed train linking cities that close to one major airport, is the 
better solution.

Just remember, that as far as fuel efficiency is concerned ( passenger 
miles ), flying is the most inefficient, and taking the train, is better 
than even the bus.


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