Briefing | American railways
High-speed railroading
America’s system of rail freight is the world’s best. High-speed passenger trains could ruin it
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UNION STATION in Los Angeles has been restored as a fine example of the Art Deco architecture that typified California in the 1930s. It has served as a backdrop for many Hollywood films, from “Union Station” (naturally) to “Blade Runner” and “Star Trek: First Contact”. It was the last grand station to be built before America's passenger railways went into what you might call terminal decline.
This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline "High-speed railroading"
From the July 24th 2010 edition
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