new technology maglev sites

Three maglev sites:
This one is more along the traditional train type technology but, Tony is leaning towards carrying freight with his system development.
www.american-maglev.com

These guys have the most advanced technology with two system capabilities; a one meter and two meter systems, the two meter would be for heavier weight usage like freight.
www.appliedlevitation.com

This system has been designed by an engineer from Florida that has computer simulated this technology to the speed of mach 6 (4,500 mph).
www.et3.com

These systems offer an excellent alternative to CA's proposed HSR system at significant less expense and extremely more efficient transportation systems.

Latest Chevy Volt tests:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20007927-48.html

New info for batteries:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008320-48.html

Tesla news:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008339-48.html?tag=mncol;posts

Nisson Leaf:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20008319-48.html?tag=mncol;posts

Fresno's transit history

Historical Perspective: Fresno streetcars

Posted at 12:56 AM on Monday, May. 17, 2010

By John Walker / The Fresno Bee

Fresno's first endeavor into mass transit began in the late 1880s, a period of boom in the region.

It didn't take long for entrepreneurs to realize a system of streetcars and trolleys would fill the need for easy travel within the city and attract business to the area.

In 1887, six municipal franchises for street rail service were granted. Two were given up and one was repealed, leaving Fresno Street Railroad Co., Fresno Railroad Co. and the Fresno, Belmont and Yosemite Railroad. Each would carry passengers in horse- or, at first, mule-drawn trolley cars, to different areas of the city.

Fresno Street Railroad was the first to hit the rails in January 1889. The others soon followed.

Most of the trolleys used were antiquated cars from San Francisco. The cost of a round-trip fare was a nickel. The most successful streetcar company was the Fresno, Belmont and Yosemite Railroad. They started out with six trolleys, six employees and 18 horses or mules.

In 1901, Fresno Railroad Co. was granted a municipal franchise for electric streetcar service. There was also a flurry of buyouts of the rival streetcar businesses: Fresno City Railroad Co. was bought by the Fresno, Belmont and Yosemite Co., which in turn was bought by Fresno Traction Co. in 1903. The same year, Fresno Traction bought Fresno City Railway Co.

The peak years of streetcar travel -- carrying tens of thousands of riders -- were 1902 to 1929. As the 1920s came to a close, the streets were filled with automobiles, which began to compete with trolleys for space.

Streetcar revenues fell with more and more auto travel. By May 1939, after 50 years of streetcar service and almost 200 miles of track, the last two lines were abandoned when National City Lines took over and switched to buses.

The city eventually bought the bus line -- service we still have to this day.

Go to fresnobee.com/galleries to see more historic photos of streetcars in Fresno.

Watching the culture change

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/06/new-report-shows-biking-and-walking-gains.html

More on the heavy rail status-quo

Politics as usual in the traditional method of living in the past:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704463504575301051535500696.html

who's behind the high speed heavy rail trains

The article to answer the title question: http://www.investmentu.com/2010/June/siemens-high-speed-rail.html

bicycle news

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100610/ap_on_re_us/us_bike_sharing