Trains can’t cross oceans or cover long distances or dynamically change routes

genderwhy · on Jan 30, 2023

Trains can't cover long distances? Surely that's a typo -- trains can cover incredible distances...

And they can change routes within their network. So yes, there's some cost to get train stations and tracks built, but afterwards they can visit anywhere within the network and carry a whole lot more than airships.

Fair point on the oceans thing though.

dredmorbius · on Jan 31, 2023

Trains in tunnels can cross water, and trans-oceanic tunnels are ... within the realm of possibility.

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submerged_floating_tunnel>

A fully-automated, cargo-only submerged floating tunnel might be an acceptable pilot / risk model.

<https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32967216>

(From a previous airships discussion, as it happens.)