Thread by @YIMBYLAND

High speed rail in the US has long been a dream. So long, in fact, that creating conceptual and fantasy HSR maps has become a national pastime.

Here's a list of some of the most realistic, ambitious, ridiculous, and even infamous maps from over the years...

🧵 1/16

The infamous "United States High Speed Rail System Map" (2013)

It would be criminal not to start this list with the most popular fantasy US HSR map of all time.

🧵 2/16

@alfred_twu The Realistic American HSR Map

This was made in response to the infamous "United States High Speed Rail System Map". @alon_levy argued that a regionalized system makes more economic sense and that any long-distance trips are better served by airlines.

🧵 3/16

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act map (2009).

An Obama-era vision for HSR in America.

🧵 4/16

America 2050 Phased ImplementationMap (2009)

🧵 5/16

@America2050 US High Speed Rail Association Vision Map

🧵 6/16

@America2050 @USHSR America 2050 - Trans-America Passenger Network (2020)

🧵 7/16

@America2050 @USHSR HSR National Base Map Vision (2021)

🧵 8/16

Cascadia Rail Map (2018)
by: @CascadiaRail

🧵 9/16

Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (2000)

🧵 10/16

Texas T-Bone vs The Texas Triangle (2018)

🧵 11/16

The Texas Mini-Triangle (2016)

🧵 12/16

Denver - El Paso HSR Map (2009)

🧵 13/16

The Very Real and Very Serious Map (2020)

🧵 14/16

Rainforest Cafe High Speed Rail Map 🐸 (2023)
by: @pradnico

🧵 15/16

Ok, I've had enough. (2015)

🧵 16/16

If you love high speed rail and want to see it in America, go vote for this panel to bring Amtrak's Train Daddy, Andy Byford, to speak at SXSW 2024