You’re right: maglev trains have been around for quite some time. The first tests were done about 30 to 40 years ago. The technology behind it may still be the same, but it sure has matured. Nowadays we tend to subject new technologies to so much scrutiny, it’s ridiculous. There’s too much red tape for fast innovation.

Anyway, although you’re right in saying the technology has been around for many years, trains have evolved. About 40 years ago the first real high speed rail (Shinkansen) was opened, and it wasn’t until 1981 that the TGV started operations. Although there’s not much more to improve in conventional high speed rail (at least, we’re not going to see it’s speed increased beyond the current 350km/h some lines offer), I think there are huge possibilities for maglev.

I do think you’re right in saying that investments are unfeasible. And, unfortunately, I don’t see this changing in the near future, either. I also agree that a car has a certain attraction too, especially the privacy thing. Though, for someone who is forever dependent on public transport, I wouldn’t mind seeing improvements.

Finally, I don’t know what to think about the future of traditional high speed trains. I don’t think they’ll disappear anytime soon. Automated cars could be future – it’s actually something that I approve of, it’s so much safer than having people drive. But for very long distances I do think trains will remain the best option. Especially when you take things like this into consideration.

Maglev trains were used as far as 30 years ago and are still barely used. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me that only minor real progress is made into improving trains the last 30 years or so.

Though I think Maglev train are pretty cool, I don’t see much of a future for traditional high speed passenger trains except for long distance travel. I would invest my money in automated ‘Johny Cabs’, without Johny that is.

The comfort of a car, the privacy, the ability to get actually near your destination and transport more goods than you can carry is unrivaled by trains. I my opinion the only thing that keeps passenger trains in the Netherlands running is the aging road infrastructure and slow progress in automated car navigation.

I’m afraid investments into a national high speed train network are unfeasible. Though in the short term the dutch rail will play an important role.

As for me. After thousands of train rides the last 10 years, I think I’ve done my share of suffering. I’m getting myself a car