NEW YORK, N.Y. - February 24, 2011 - President Obama announced in April 2009, and reconfirmed during his recent State of the Union address, his commitment to develop high-speed intercity passenger rail across the United States. High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport between major cities that operates at substantially faster speeds than current intercity passenger trains in the U.S. It is designed to provide fast, reliable, and convenient service, operates using electric power and often includes onboard amenities such as food and beverage service and Wi-fi access. The Harris Poll conducted an online survey among 2,566 adults between January 17 and 24, 2011 to gauge awareness, intention to use and position on funding for high-speed rail. At the time of the survey, there were ten proposed high-speed rail corridors across the United Statesª. To-date, projects in California and Florida have been the most visible. Full poll story at: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/

A Canadian transport official said he plans to discuss plans for a high-speed rail linking Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto when he travels to Paris in the coming weeks. READ ARTICLE

Vice President Biden's announcement of a plan for USA high speed rail investment. Read the announcement WATCH VIDEO

From the Montreal Gazette's Francois Salom an article on how President Obama's recent announcement on high speed rail may affect the Montreal-New York and Montreal-Boston rail routes

As part of our ongoing series on cross border high speed passenger rail crossing, at the request of several people, we will now look at the Windsor Detroit border. Most if not all the passenger rail corridors improvements currently envisioned connecting Canada and the USA would result in higher speed passenger rail as opposed to true high speed rail. (over 200kph). In the case of Windsor Detroit there is no current passenger rail between the two cities. The usual suspects, as in our previous articles, play a part in ensuring restoring passenger rail between the cities remains just a dream. Two known suspects are: 1.The Canadian federal governments continuing refusal to have any plan or legislation for passenger rail in Canada including cross border issues and 2. Canada’s CP railways and to a lesser extent CN have no desire in seeing passenger rail restored at the Windsor/Detroit border. But unfortunately it’s a much worse situation at this rail border crossing than any other possible o

C’est avec plaisir que le Groupe TRAQ vous convie à son 15e Colloque ferroviaire qui se tiendra les mercredi 23 et jeudi 24 mars 2011, à l’Hôtel PLAZA Québec, sous la présidence d’honneur d’un représentant du Chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique. Jeudi 24 mars 2011,14h 45, Le Tràin à Grande Vitese au Canada par M.Paul Langan.