"Ferrari Train" debuts in Italy

[marmar]

from Der Spiegel:





Italy's burgundy red Ferrari on rails is finally going into service. Starting on April 28, the "Italo" will travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour between Milan, Rome and Naples. The new high-speed train is more environmentally friendly and also cheaper than its competitors -- on both the rails and roads.

The burgundy red Italo train departs Naples Central Station punctually at 2 p.m., with rain pouring down from the sky. Within a few minutes, it is trundling past backyards at 160 kilometers per hour, then gathers speed. By 2:14 p.m., the train is whizzing along at 200 km/h and reaches 260 just a few minutes later.

The ride is quiet and smooth, and the only indication of the high speeds at which we are traveling are the large LED signs in the cars. By 2:16 p.m., we're up to 300 km/h (186 miles per hour). The train has no locomotive and the motors are equally distributed throughout each car, making for a quieter ride. The train is also capable of traveling at speeds of 360 km/h -- the only problem is that Italian tracks aren't built to support such high speeds.

The rain has now stopped, leaving the wet streets full of puddles. Clouds of water spray can still be seen behind cars on a motorway that runs parallel to the train tracks for a stretch. But the cars only remain in sight for a few seconds -- we're too fast for them. .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,829474,00.html

[FightingIrish]

1. A Little Late but Spectacular

I have been following this with interest because my son is currently teaching in Italy. It's not like I need another reason to return to Italy but this is a must on my next visit. Like almost everything the Italians do, this is really well done right down to the food served. There are a couple of good links at this link: http://www.medford-alba.org/home/hot-news-1/forgetthetraintaketheferrari

[eyewall]

4. Thanks for that link!

Beautiful web info site, very impressive (as is the train itself).

Why can't public transportation be a source of national pride for Americans?

[Drale]

2. Its the futuristic Hogwarts express!

[emmadoggy]

6. LOL! I'd take a ride on either one! nt

[JustAnotherGen]

3. That is beyond cool!

[emmadoggy]

5. Wish we could have something like this.

Very cool.

[The Wizard]

7. If it weren't for cave dwellers

inhabiting Congress we could have these trains. But cave dwellers reign, even in the minority, thanks to the filibuster.

[valerief]

11. Cave dwellers with offshore bank accounts. Also known as whores but without the heart of gold. nt

[Tx4obama]

8. K & R :) n/t

[GETPLANING]

9. Looks a lot like the Spanish AVE

I take the AVE often from Madrid to Zaragoza or Barcelona. It also goes down south. Flying across the ground is the only way to describe it. It is so smooth, you have to look out the window to see if the train is moving or not. I'm not kidding.

[valerief]

10. Very slick! nt