Back in Europe, I traveled often by train. Even now, when going overseas on summer vacations, I am always marveled by the slick high speed trains traveling through Europe and Asia. Just simply cool and highly energy efficient. Well, I am in the US since 1987 and never boarded a train. So, I really wanted to change that. After all, global warming is indirectly smoking up California each summer, and some say, California and the US are the leading power towards a carbon neutral paradise, at least that is what we are told.
So, I though a train trip from San Luis Obispo (SLO) to San Francisco (SF) would be cool. It’s a train line with a lot of history, nice scenery, along the coast and coastal mountain range. So, here are my research results: The distance is just 200 miles, or 320 km. There is only one train that goes through without changing over, either to another train or bus. It takes 6hrs and 19 min and costs $45 for one way, but leaves SLO at 15:35 and arrives in SF at 21:54. There is another train/bus combination that leaves early in the morning at 6:55, but arrives after 15hrs and 23min, at 22:18 in SF and it costs $95. Ohh, that ain’t the future in smooth transportation! I guess, I keep on refraining using the train in California and look forward to a high speed train ride abroad that would take only 45 min or so for the same distance.
Dear train ghost, please awaken the old steam engines that could travel at 100 miles/hour already 100 years ago!
