News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B by benjiweber on Thursday January 18, 2018 @02:18AM (#16175319)
Could they use a third rail system? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_rail
Re:California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B by tjohns on Thursday January 18, 2018 @02:31AM (#16175366)
Not really. Freight lines are usually built at-grade and occasionally intersect city streets. Caltrain tracks included. Some of the Caltrain stations doesn't even have elevated platforms.

It would be... unpopular... to have an electrified third rail, at ground level, that you have to step directly over at a station or running directly through a city street. Somebody would surely trip on it or it could get touched by a little kid.

Third rail systems are usually only used when the tracks are physically inaccessible to passengers or other pedestrians.

Re:California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B by robin_reala on Thursday January 18, 2018 @03:44AM (#16175617)
Plenty of third rail in the south of England, they just stop the rail before level crossings and start it again afterwards.