https://forward.com/fast-forward/392205/some-say-the-messiah-is-coming-on-israels-new-high-speed-train/
If this is true, then things might start looking good for Amtrak, too!
Of course, more seriously, their idea of "high speed" is a maximum of 160 km/hr (100 mph) on a ~57 km route. This is roughly equivalent to the MARC Penn Line. They're claiming a 30 minute ride (the current train takes 1:30, and you have to change trains in Bet Shemesh. The bus takes about an hour.)
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-speed-train-between-Tel-Aviv-and-Jerusalem-makes-first-test-run-536889
https://www.rail.co.il/en/enjoy-the-ride/pages/tour-high-speed-line.aspx
I remember taking the ride in 1971 and 1972, when it left from the old Ottoman station in Jerusalem. The ride through the gorge of Nahal Soreq was pretty scenic, but it was pretty slow. I understand they abandoned the line to Jerusalem for a few years, then reinstated it, but not to the original station.
If this is true, then things might start looking good for Amtrak, too!
Of course, more seriously, their idea of "high speed" is a maximum of 160 km/hr (100 mph) on a ~57 km route. This is roughly equivalent to the MARC Penn Line. They're claiming a 30 minute ride (the current train takes 1:30, and you have to change trains in Bet Shemesh. The bus takes about an hour.)
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-speed-train-between-Tel-Aviv-and-Jerusalem-makes-first-test-run-536889
https://www.rail.co.il/en/enjoy-the-ride/pages/tour-high-speed-line.aspx
I remember taking the ride in 1971 and 1972, when it left from the old Ottoman station in Jerusalem. The ride through the gorge of Nahal Soreq was pretty scenic, but it was pretty slow. I understand they abandoned the line to Jerusalem for a few years, then reinstated it, but not to the original station.