Even Uzbekistan Has High Speed Rail

Want to go from Tashkent to Samarkand? It is getting quicker....

http://www.uznews.net/news_single.php?l ... &nid=17534

A high-speed rail link under construction between Tashkent and Samarkand is set to cut the maximum journey time to two hours. A Spanish-built Talgo-250 electric train is due to make its maiden journey on the line on the eve of the 20th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence on 1st September.

Currently, the Registan fast train takes 3.5 hours to complete the 344km journey between Tashkent and Samarkand. The bus takes 4.5 hours. However, the new Talgo trains, with their maximum speed of 250kmph will cut the journey time considerably, UzDaily.uz says, although it is not clear when the new high-speed link will be fully open.

For those who need unit conversion, 250 kph = 155 mph. So, yes, Uzbekistan will have faster passenger trains than the USA. Yes, the modern and economic powerhouse of Uzbekistan.

Although, the article indicates that they are getting only 2 trainsets and it appears that only parts of the route are getting upgraded. so this may be more of a vanity HSR line to serve the elite and for show, than one that would be widely used by the public.

The putting down barb wire in place of a proper fence says something about the management and engineering oversight in Uzbekistan. Still, it is a cheap way to keep people from walking across the tracks!

Uzbekistan is without a doubt one of the world's nastiest dictatorships. Dissidents (people who want democracy) are boiled. Projects are built at the whim of the dictator.

afiggatt wrote: Although, the article indicates that they are getting only 2 trainsets and it appears that only parts of the route are getting upgraded. so this may be more of a vanity HSR line to serve the elite and for show, than one that would be widely used by the public.

With two sets you can have 7 departures each direction between 6:00 and 22:00.
Today they have only one daily fast train, the Registan...