I hear that train a comin', maybe...

There was a momentous event in the spectrum of public transportation that happened the other day. No, it was not the fact that a French high speed TSG train broke the land-speed record for fastest wheeled train, but rather the fact that the state of California is looking into getting its own version of that legendary train.

I'll give you a few details about the possible train service. It will run from San Diego to Sacramento, the main stops of attraction being Los Angeles and San Francisco.

It will take two and a half hours each way from LA to SF. All things considered (security, check-in, etc.), on such a short trip, it will be faster than flying. As long as the conductor isn't listening to the Grateful Dead's "Casey Jones" and nodding in agreement, we have a breakthrough.

Why is this important to us in Pennsylvania? If it works, it could set a precedent for employing these trains elsewhere in the United States. Taking the train may again become fashionable.

A comparable trip may be from Washington, DC to Boston. Currently, on Amtrak's Acela Express (stops in both Philadelphia and New York City), it takes more than six hours.

Yes, you could say that anyone who wants to take a train on the East Coast already has options with the plethora of routes being offered.

But, have you ever traveled on these trains? In my experiences (they are minimal), they are always less than full, implying there is a better option for transportation, whether it is driving (economical) or flying (time).

Yes, the train will be expensive and in the beginning the driving advantage will still be there. But, the flying advantage on short trips may cease, due to the convenience and price.

I am willing to believe that the new train will compare in price to flying (increasing due to rising fuel costs) in order to stay competitive. And, if it is possible, who doesn't want to be somewhere sooner?

If more people are taking the train, it only follows logically that more lines will be added with increased frequency, which will keep the price competitive. If this happens, the biggest benefit goes to those who choose to travel on the not-so-fast trains.

The rationale behind this is why would someone still pay the same rate for a service that isn't as desired (people are taking the fast trains instead)? The prices would lower resulting in a more cost-efficient way to take public transportation, maybe even lowering the price enough (while the cost of gasoline rises) so people will prefer the train over cars. This may, in turn, open the eyes of the general public toward the benefits of public transportation.

Guaranteed, this would take years, but it is my hope that in our country's 10-year plan there is a goal to have public transportation be more affordable, more convenient and more environmentally friendly (my Lonely Planet travel guide says that trains use less energy per traveler than planes and recommends trains for their greenness).

Additionally, if that California train does indeed model the French variety, it will run on electricity. Yes, it takes some form of fuel to make electricity, but at least the train isn't limited to burping dirty diesel exhaust (more than 80 percent of Amtrak's trains run on diesel fuel) into the already polluted atmosphere. There are other, possibly renewable options to producing the electricity needed for the train.

This seems like a way too optimistic and simplistic look at things, but I like being optimistic at times. And, as an adult (by age only), I have grown to love convenience.

I am a veteran of European train travel (I lived there for a year and a half as an adult), and the ease and lack of stress that comes along with riding the rails cannot be matched by any other mode of transportation.

If you don't have the experience, I first must suggest that you do it, and I'll explain why trains are great. You can get up and walk around on a train, have some food in the dining car, and maybe even play cards with your friends while you are at it. Can you do that on a plane or while driving a car?

You can also relax and not worry about drivers who don't care to pay attention to the road. Perhaps scenery is your thing. Well, you can actually see it (unlike in a plane) or watch it go by without worry about being one of the aforementioned drivers.

After rereading my column, I am considering asking Amtrak for compensation.

But, I don't think it lies in their hands, but rather our government needs to provide a public good for public welfare.

At least, that may be a start.