ONCOMING TEXAS BULLET TRAIN MODEL NOW KILLING TIME IN JAPAN AHEAD OF ITS STATESIDE DEBUT
The general manager of Central Japan Railway Company, the Japanese firm designing the would-be Houston-Dallas bullet train, tells WFAA’s Jason Whitely it’ll be a spin-off of the company’s recently-revealed N700S model, 2 prototypes of which appear above. That new design — test runs of which began in July — is a half-size version of the N700 stock the company currently operates along Japanese rail lines: 8 cars instead of 16. They’re planned to start hurdling hurtling down the country’s Shinkansen rail network at 177 miles-per-hour in 2020, by which time Texas Central — our state’s own high-speed rail hopeful — expects to have broken ground already on its 240-mile right-of-way. It says its version of the trains — to be named the N700I (“I” for “international”) will start off running at 186 miles-per-hour but could later accelerate up to 205, “subject to regulatory approval and market demands.” [WFAA; previously on Swamplot] Photo of 2 N700S Shinkansen prototype trains: Texas Central
Reminds me of a PT Cruizer
Hurdling? The bullet train is jumping hurdles?
If the piece intends to convey great speed, the word is “hurtling”
hur·tle
/ˈhərdl/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: hurtling
move or cause to move at a great speed, typically in a wildly uncontrolled manner.
“a runaway car hurtled toward them”
‘Hurtling’ means out of control, not the best connotation for a bullet train. But then, ‘bullet’ has a very bad vibe, too. We could go on like this all day.
Remember when Springfield got a monorail?
It’ll only hurdle if they keep the peddle to the meddle.
I hear those things are awfully loud.
It glides as softly as a cloud.
Is there a chance the track could bend? Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
What about us brain-dead slobs? You’ll be given cushy jobs.
Were you sent here by the devil? No, good sir.
I’m on the level.
The ring came off my pudding can! Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it’s Springfield’s only choice.
Throw up your hands and raise your voice.
Hurdling would be just too uncomfortable! I shan’t ride that hurdling train.