As long as we're being picky, the term "bullet train" is used by tourists only. The official name of these Japanese high-speed trains is "shinkansen," which does not translate into "bullet train."

The fascinating thing about these is that some of them have been in service so long that the actually feel a bit worn and old fashioned. But who cares, because they keep their schedules to the second. Except when a typhoon disrupts them once every decade or so (as it did once when I was there and needed to get back to Tokyo for my return international flight -- but that's another story).

Charlie

For the linguistically curious:

"shinkansen" == "new trunk line"

-Q-

arturo kno "tres" stand for three (3) en arturos langwag. so arturo kno thet tres grande vitesse knot very hi sped. must bea three huge tranes.

The announced Acela fare is higher than the current Metroliner fare between NY & DC. I question that as the Acela is only listed as 15 mins faster than the Metroliner. However, the Metroliner is a much better than flying between Washington and NYC, both in price and convinence. Drops you off Downtown NYC and close to the Capitol in DC.

As a matter of interest, TGV was also the winner in the "contest" to select the provider of technology for the Republic of Korea's proposed fast train. They beat out German InterCity Express (ICE) and Japanese Shinkansen (for political reasons, really only TGV and ICE were in the running, I am told) amid some murmurs of under-the-table promises. For various reasons the project is way behind schedule and over budget (a situation regarding civil works projects which probably dates back to the time of Cheops).

I've ridden all three, and must say I'm most impressed with the ICE. One trip between Hamburg and Frankfurt, in particular, was absolutely delightful (weather was perfect, the rape fields were in golden bloom, and those large windows - yes!) although as noted earlier in the thread, the ability of the Shinkansen to maintain its schedule is truly awesome - almost as much so as the view of Fuji as you ride past.

The new service will shave very little time off of from NY to DC,
The currently metroliners, do upwards of 125MPH currently.

It's the Boston to NY run that will see the time big time savings.

But while we are on this Amtrak stuff. Here's a question:
Was is Amtrak in southern california, about 1/3 the price of Amtrak in the northeast?
Shouldnt the NE corridor, with more passengers be less expensive?

The faster Amtrak will be welcome to travelers on the BOS-NYC run. It will in fact be close to the Shuttle on a downtown Boston-midtown Manhattan basis (once one adds ground transport, ssecurity, etc. to air, making for 2+ hours door to door), far less hassle, and cheaper. And in winter it is not as subject to weather delays (even after 6 years in Boston I'm still mystified at how Logan seems to turn to molasses every time it turns overcast). The new train also will reportedly have laptop jacks, and more leg room than the Shuttle (Delta or USAir) to NYC. These are all clear value-added benefits, and if they can hold the price constant I would expect that ridership will climb.

Example of Amtrak's continued value in the northeast: in January I was running a large (500-person), high-profile conference, with probably 20% coming from NYC. Of course this was the day every airport in DC ,NYC, Boston, etc. was closed due to snow--but a surprisingly large number of savvy participants made it only a few hours late by taking the older, slower Amtrak. if they ahd planned their schedules from the start with the faster train, they might have arrived on time....

Boomer:
Here's my guess on why Amtrak is less expensive on the West Coast. Amtrak is divided into 3 semi-independent sections:
Northeast, West Coast and Intercity (everything else) with the ability to set its own fares for that region. In the Northeast Amtrak does compete with the Shuttles so it prices fares near but below
what the airshuttles charge. On the West Coast Amtrak doesn't compete very well with the Airlines (except possibly LA - SD) so sets fares to get the vacationer not the Businessperson. In other words, its not that West Coast fares are low but that Northeast fares are higher because of higher percentage of business travelers.
Or not!
Just my guess!

I can't believe this Bullet Train forum has generated more than 20-responses! I guess train travel is important to some of us.

As for the new Amtrak Metroliner service: what would make it attractive to me is a decent fare and the chance to earn airline miles (or do a program where you fly one way and train it the other.)

But I DON"T THINK a separate forum on trains is needed.

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CATMAN

Metroliner cars already have power outlets at all the seats for laptops (at least the last one I rode on did). I doubt they are talking about the ability to go online while traveling on the Acela, or are they?

Since Catman brought up the subject of trains, and it seems to be of some intrest here, I'm just curious, how many frequent flyers out there started their traveling addiction on the grand old pre-Amtrak trains such as (in my case) the Phobe Snow between Hoboken and Chicago on the D L & W RR ?

Well...

I still park my car in the lot on Lakawana Place, and take the NJTransit express in to Pennsylvania Station every day (a 40 minute ride). But NJ Transit doesn't award miles, and doesn't take American Express or Diners. Just my Continental Visa....

Yes, I grew up in the Midwest, and when I was in school trains were THE way to travel (beat busses by a long shot). I didn't really fall in love with them, however, until I was first posted to Europe in the mid-60s, and found out what trains were supposed to do. Wonderful creations!

Best trains are of course the smallest: the Lionels (which are now gone thanks to my dear aunt cleaning my closet one day long ago!)

From Trains to subways to miles: FINALLY! I can use my Amex or UA Visa to earn miles every month when I recharge my NYC Metrocard!
It's about time.

AMEX has been slow in signing up the various commuter railroads (like NJDavid's NJ Transit) which is sad because it would great to earn miles every way possible!

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CATMAN

Japanese Rail Passes (from the NY Times, Sunday, march-21-99)

Foreign tourists visiting Japan may purchase special passes that can be used on most of Japan Rail trains (exceptions include the Nozomi Super Express), as well as on many buses and ferries. The pass must be purchased through travel agents before arriving in Japan. The Japan Rail West passes for travel in the Sanyo and Kansai areas are the only passes that can be purchased in Japan.

The standard, countrywide passes allow unlimited travel for 7, 14 and 21 days.

While the prices are set by Japan Rail, authorized travel companies that sell the passes in the United States (either directly to the traveler, or through your personal travel agent) may use different exchange rates. For example, earlier this month, Kinetsu International Express, (800) 422-3481, sold the passes at a rate of 118 yen to the dollar, resulting in these coach fares: $240 (28,300 yen) for 7 days, $382 (45,100) yen for 14 days and $489 (57,700 yen) for 21 days. First-class rates, student and children's fares are also available.

Among the regional passes are the JR East Pass (includes Tokyo and Nagano ski areas), the JR Kyushu Pass (in and around Kyushu Island) and the JR West passes mentioned above.

For a brochure contact the Japan National Tourist Board, 1 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1250, New York, N.Y. 10020; (212) 757-5640, fax (212) 307-6754.