JRUrbaneNetwork
@jrurbanenetwork.bsky.social
Trains are like dragons: massive, majestic, mystical and capable of quickly taking you on an exotic adventure.
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Guangzhou Metro Middle 2025 Metro Openings: Part 3
I know... China opens metro lines faster than I can visit or write about them.
open.substack.com
I was taking long time to write this but Guangzhou opened a bunch of new metro extensions on Sept 29, 2025 when I was in Yunnan. So better clear my thoughts and observations I had when I toured the new Guangzhou Metro lines that opened in June 2025 below:
Every time I drop something off for a friend at Cathay City I pass by this gem:
November 13, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Every time I drop something off for a friend at Cathay City I pass by this gem:
I guess this is the future YIMBYs want?
November 8, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I guess this is the future YIMBYs want?
These comparative graphs for unit nuclear costs mirror unit subway construction costs too. With the US building at reasonable costs in the 70s. Then costs in the US skyrockets and the US gives up building anything since. While China builds an ungodly amount at stable reasonable prices since the 90s.
November 4, 2025 at 7:11 AM
These comparative graphs for unit nuclear costs mirror unit subway construction costs too. With the US building at reasonable costs in the 70s. Then costs in the US skyrockets and the US gives up building anything since. While China builds an ungodly amount at stable reasonable prices since the 90s.
I was taking long time to write this but Guangzhou opened a bunch of new metro extensions on Sept 29, 2025 when I was in Yunnan. So better clear my thoughts and observations I had when I toured the new Guangzhou Metro lines that opened in June 2025 below:
Guangzhou Metro Middle 2025 Metro Openings: Part 3
I know... China opens metro lines faster than I can visit or write about them.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I was taking long time to write this but Guangzhou opened a bunch of new metro extensions on Sept 29, 2025 when I was in Yunnan. So better clear my thoughts and observations I had when I toured the new Guangzhou Metro lines that opened in June 2025 below:
Reposted by JRUrbaneNetwork
Here's a video of the impossible. The UP Express has high platforms and level boarding for passengers. That is supposed make it impossible for mainline North American freight trains to pass. And yet, as this shows, CN freight trains roll past the high platform at Weston multiple times per week.
October 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Here's a video of the impossible. The UP Express has high platforms and level boarding for passengers. That is supposed make it impossible for mainline North American freight trains to pass. And yet, as this shows, CN freight trains roll past the high platform at Weston multiple times per week.
Since the below repost was published last year, Chengdu Metro added ~140km of new metro lines. The network now is 664km long with 332 stations. The network is growing before our eyes.
October 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Since the below repost was published last year, Chengdu Metro added ~140km of new metro lines. The network now is 664km long with 332 stations. The network is growing before our eyes.
Gifu Prefecture's 3rd-sector Nagaragawa Railway is considering closing due to rising costs and deficits and declining ridership. Nagaragawa Railway is one of Japan's longest "dead end" railways, being 72km long and only connecting to another railway on one end...
October 24, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Gifu Prefecture's 3rd-sector Nagaragawa Railway is considering closing due to rising costs and deficits and declining ridership. Nagaragawa Railway is one of Japan's longest "dead end" railways, being 72km long and only connecting to another railway on one end...
It is nice of Guangzhou Metro to let you know if you need at least 30 minutes to get into a crowded station. Picture by LuminousJourney.
October 24, 2025 at 7:07 AM
It is nice of Guangzhou Metro to let you know if you need at least 30 minutes to get into a crowded station. Picture by LuminousJourney.
Chongqing Caiyuanba Railway Station complex has now been completely demolished. Work is ongoing to build a massive thru-running urban underground station for regional and high speed trains. See reposted thread for the background on this project. Picture by Azure🌊.
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Chongqing Caiyuanba Railway Station complex has now been completely demolished. Work is ongoing to build a massive thru-running urban underground station for regional and high speed trains. See reposted thread for the background on this project. Picture by Azure🌊.
Noah Smith of Noahpinion literally did Place, Japan in an article he wrote this year. Making it look like the typical Japanese lives in an environment that looks like Shibuya. Which I pointed out was wrong. Link in next post.
October 24, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Noah Smith of Noahpinion literally did Place, Japan in an article he wrote this year. Making it look like the typical Japanese lives in an environment that looks like Shibuya. Which I pointed out was wrong. Link in next post.
The Chengdu Metro, today the 4th largest metro system in the world with 633km of lines opened its first segment of Metro in 2010. The first phase of Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT started construction a few months later and today is still not open...
October 24, 2025 at 5:02 AM
The Chengdu Metro, today the 4th largest metro system in the world with 633km of lines opened its first segment of Metro in 2010. The first phase of Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT started construction a few months later and today is still not open...
Reposted by JRUrbaneNetwork
Dutch Railways: social profit of €1.33 billion, financial loss of €141 million. It delivers 11x (!!!!) more value to society than it costs.
Via:
social inclusion
increase in property values near stations;
welfare of employees and consumers;
productive use of travel time.
www.eur.nl/en/news/rese...
Via:
social inclusion
increase in property values near stations;
welfare of employees and consumers;
productive use of travel time.
www.eur.nl/en/news/rese...
Research shows that NS generates social profit: 1.33 billion euros
This is according to a new study by Professor Dirk Schoenmaker (Rotterdam School of Managemen) and Wander Marijnissen of strategic consultancy firm ftrprf.
www.eur.nl
October 22, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Dutch Railways: social profit of €1.33 billion, financial loss of €141 million. It delivers 11x (!!!!) more value to society than it costs.
Via:
social inclusion
increase in property values near stations;
welfare of employees and consumers;
productive use of travel time.
www.eur.nl/en/news/rese...
Via:
social inclusion
increase in property values near stations;
welfare of employees and consumers;
productive use of travel time.
www.eur.nl/en/news/rese...
Yesterday it was revealed the world's fastest HST, the CR450 series, is being formally field tested around China. A rep from the China Academy of Rail Sciences (CARS) stated final 400kph revenue service testing will be conducted on the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line next year....
October 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Yesterday it was revealed the world's fastest HST, the CR450 series, is being formally field tested around China. A rep from the China Academy of Rail Sciences (CARS) stated final 400kph revenue service testing will be conducted on the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line next year....
Japan started planning for a bullet train system decades before the real deal and what the Shinkansen looks like today is quite different from what was originally planned. But what does that have to do with China?
Shinkansen... We also need. 新幹綫~ 我們也要有。
China and Japan operate an ever complex and frequent HSR system. The environment surrounding the births of their systems can similar and different at the same time.
jrurbanenetwork.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Japan started planning for a bullet train system decades before the real deal and what the Shinkansen looks like today is quite different from what was originally planned. But what does that have to do with China?
When I was in Yunnan a few weeks ago, Hong Kong started construction on the first section of the Northern Link. Bringing Hong Kong's active metro expansion project count up to 3 totaling about about 15km of new lines.
October 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
When I was in Yunnan a few weeks ago, Hong Kong started construction on the first section of the Northern Link. Bringing Hong Kong's active metro expansion project count up to 3 totaling about about 15km of new lines.
What have they done to my beloved Hanoi Shark Jaw Building?
October 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM
What have they done to my beloved Hanoi Shark Jaw Building?
It is almost like Hanoi, a city with over 8 million residents, needs a true city spanning metro system. Not two disconnected metro lines.
October 11, 2025 at 5:20 PM
It is almost like Hanoi, a city with over 8 million residents, needs a true city spanning metro system. Not two disconnected metro lines.
Embrace Bún Chả urbanism.
October 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Embrace Bún Chả urbanism.
Always interesting how the bottom floor of a Vietnamese tube home can be a garage/living room or family store, sometimes a combination of all three.
October 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Always interesting how the bottom floor of a Vietnamese tube home can be a garage/living room or family store, sometimes a combination of all three.
Embrace cà phê urbanism.
October 7, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Embrace cà phê urbanism.
These headlines from The Economist really coming out of pocket.
China is the GOAT of engineering. Right?
Its next five-year plan must contend with a switch from manufacturing to services
www.economist.com
October 4, 2025 at 11:26 AM
These headlines from The Economist really coming out of pocket.
Russell King also uncritically ripped off the talking points of a sloppy hitpiece on China's HSR system, what a joke. Find out more on that hitpiece below:
September 29, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Russell King also uncritically ripped off the talking points of a sloppy hitpiece on China's HSR system, what a joke. Find out more on that hitpiece below:
Reposted by JRUrbaneNetwork
China announces it will reduce its carbon emissions by 7 to 10% from peak levels (i.e., now) by 2035. This is the first emissions reductions pledge from the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, and a hugely important step forward.
China for First Time Promises to Reduce Its Greenhouse Gas Emissions
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:12 PM
China announces it will reduce its carbon emissions by 7 to 10% from peak levels (i.e., now) by 2035. This is the first emissions reductions pledge from the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, and a hugely important step forward.
New York Subway today if Tylenol causes autism:
September 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
New York Subway today if Tylenol causes autism:
Last week the Fuzhou Metro Binhai Express Line opened at 9AM and is offering free rides, which seems to have attracted half of Fujian Province. Fuzhou Metro Binhai Express is a 62km long high speed metro line with local/express trains reaching 140kph. Video by kon. (1/4)
September 24, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Last week the Fuzhou Metro Binhai Express Line opened at 9AM and is offering free rides, which seems to have attracted half of Fujian Province. Fuzhou Metro Binhai Express is a 62km long high speed metro line with local/express trains reaching 140kph. Video by kon. (1/4)