So why is there no serious consideration being given to very fast trains on the Brisbane - Sydney - Melbourne runs?

Oh that's right - we still haven't gotten over that pesky rail gauge thingy.

Queensland introduced the Tilt Train but it seems to be a bit of a disaster with the train reaching serious speeds over only a comparatively very short distance of track.

Rosenthal's article underscores the immense difficulties any one country has in reducing emissions. People will listen attentively when you tell them to buy a hybrid car but go completely deaf when you tell them that they have to give up their overseas holiday. The only real solution is to put travellers back into cruise ships and trains, but is that going to happen? Doubt it. In any case, neither China or India has shown any real interest, beyond grandstanding on solar energy and the occasional vague promise, that they will do anything about emissions. Time to face facts. Efforts to curtail emissions are a waste of time and effort.

Interesting isn't it, that in the thumbnail sketch on Liz it says, "traveling extensively to report on environmental projects". What do you know, another green do as I say rant. I wonder how many IPCC extravaganzxs she's flown too?

Why is it that these twits always love public transport? Every realistic report I have read all say that the cost in money, & fuel is between 20, & 45% greater per passenger mile for public than private transport.

If it's green house gas they are worried about, they can now stop. We know it was a rort. However, if they are, they should think of how much of the stuff that would be emitted in the building of things like high speed rail. The running costs after the building, are minor.

Finally she has the hide to tell us that the thousands who flew to Copenhagen last year were because, "they cared passionately about climate". Pull the other one love, that one yodels. Your 6 years in Beijing sounds much more like career building that greenie passion.

Interesting post.
Here are my thoughts on the matter after I draw your attention to a
couple of things;

Note that the British Government has cancelled the proposed third
runway at Heathrow.

Note that the second airport for Sydney has gone to sleep.

Note that the completion of the Dual highway from Sydney to Brisbane
is now back in the 2020s and some major projects are now back to the 2030s.

In an era of little or no growth there will be no money for major projects.
Airlines are merging and going out of business at quite a rapid rate.
Frankly their time is limited.

High speed trains between Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne would be really
good, but unfortunately most people who suggest them really are
unaware of the difficulties involved.
To construct such a line you have to assume the present line is not there.
You cannot follow the present permway, you have to build a straight
line and flat permway and the present one is anything but that.
In the days that the present track was built the earth moving was done
with horses and scoops, no massive bulldozers then.

The best that can be hoped for that route is to electrify it.
This would enable somewhat higher speeds but very significant
upgrading of the track would be needed.
However even this minor work may well be out of our reach from now on.
Hirsch warned us that 20 years was needed for the energy transition
but he has been ignored.

Do as I say, not do as I do.

This kind of rampant hypocrisy, so typical of the Green Elites, is exactly why they trip my B@llsh!t Alert, big-time.

When people of privilege and wealth try to deny a benefit that they already enjoy to others, it's ten-to-one they're selling you a pup.

if people must fly, why not on blimps (airships)?

Oh, that's a bit like the slow-food style of eating out, way too long.

But what's the rush? Slow down and live longer.