Flying an airplane over the California High Speed Rail route

[@mrxman581]

I don't think that even CAHSR has this kind of footage on the project. I wouldn't be surprised if you hear from them to lease your footage for informational and promotional purposes.

[@arandomyoutubechannel2940]

They don't

[@maizesoft]

this adds another billion in the budget

[@torunit4620]

@@maizesoft after being approved by 6 internal committees, a dozen governmental agencies, each county and a couple of EIRs

[@donnieburger3721]

its fake less than a min of real flying footage

[@rw28ks2012]

..... and why not do it themselves instead? 😂

[@Tivis7]

I feel like this video is super important because a lot of people continually complain about the fact that it's taking you so long, but don't actually realize what's being done. Great work, I hope to see more!

[@vodoo3dx243]

​@@MetaView7Temu is trash

[@vodoo3dx243]

Temu products are trash and toxic

[@aluisious]

Nothing is being done. Making a train between Madera and Bakersfield is idiotic. Anything ending in San Jose/San Francisco or Los Angeles would be infinitely more useful.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

@@aluisious corridor between San Jose and San Francisco is already done, ever heard of the Caltrain electrification project?

[@crissd8283]

Then they shouldn't have lied and told us it would be complete in 2020 and cost $30 billion. People don't like being lied too.

[@twinsgp]

As daunting as it is to see how much work remains, it is utterly inspiring to see how much has been completed. Those viaducts are BEAUTIFUL!

[@Thunderbuck]

I’ve been following this project for YEARS and it’s wonderful to finally see a top-to-bottom view! Excellent work!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it

[@wayneyd2]

What work?

[@correctionguy7632]

@@wayneyd2 you blind?

[@janeanderson3118]

Your video and your support for the High Speed Rail Project has lifted my spirits. I am one of thousands of people who work on the High Speed Rail (HSR) Project. I see the HSR project as a way to address the California housing crisis. Imagine living near any of the HSR stations in a more affordable home in the Central Valley and being able to travel quickly to other hubs where employment opportunities and salaries may be greater. Viewers of your video may not know that thousands of acres of land with a high ecosystem habitat value have been purchased for restoration and conservation to offset impacts to endangered species and habitats encountered along the route. This is the role I am playing as Mitigation and Conservation Planning Manager for HSR Authority. Impacts to farmland and urban areas are also being tracked for similar mitigation purposes. Any future residential and commercial development will also require mitigation offsets by developers. This means that the most valuable ecosystems are enhanced and preserved while the lower ecological value properties can be used to support the population needs of California.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thank you for all your work on this project. There’s obviously a lot of work going on behind the scenes that many will never know about!

[@TheRailwayDrone]

Thank you so much for everything you do.

[@MegaMarmotYT]

@@Wolficorntvmy school is going to move because of it 😂😢

[@Wolficorntv]

@@MegaMarmotYTthank you for your sacrifice 😂

[@CH-wm6wo]

You’re gonna have to imagine it cuz it ain’t gonna happen. The people running the show love those “starry eyed dreamers” so out of touch with reality they’ll vote for anything. Glad I left that sh** hole.

[@mailobiker9525]

Mexico just opened its interurban Toluca - Mexico City train, it is only about 37 miles long but it took us like 12 years to have it finish because of corruption and mismanagment. I think you can make it faster than we did guys!! Greetins from your southern neighboor country 🤠🌶

[@alucardsucks123]

Congratulations on your train. But I don't think you understand the level corruption and mismanagement California is capable of.

[@zrspangle]

Small correction, it opened last year. Santa Fe station opened last week, and God-willing Observatorio will open by the end of the year. Also, saying it's only 37mi without mentioning it goes underneath Sierra de las Cruces is a bit odd

[@pbcash7788]

Well it’s been 17 years for us and we technically have 0 miles of rail completed. 53 miles of guideway are complete. California is just as efficient as Mexico. Probably just as corrupt too!

[@teeconsigliano7631]

too late, ours is already taking 16 years for corruption

[@VamosFumando-ko3ov]

​@@zrspanglethis will be like 600-800 miles long cant compare although it has taken to long

[@AustinKelly94]

I've taken High Speed Rail in France, Spain, Germany and China. California, you don't understand how important it is to finish this project ASAP. It will fundamentally change California for the better

[@Wolficorntv]

Agree!

[@redpandaz5146]

I really hope that once CALHSR is up and running, it will cause a boom in construction with other parts of the country going "Well hey *I* want that too"

[@pbcash7788]

We actually voted for this rail project 17 years ago. We wanted it done sooner. It’s not our fault the state government is corrupt :(

[@robnobert]

​​@@pbcash7788 it literally IS your fault your government is so corrupt, YOU voted them in, it's called democracy 🙏😉

[@Parth-Patel1997]

@@pbcash7788 you do realize it got slowed due to countless lawsuits over acquiring land for this project?

[@LukeNVargas]

Great work. It's not easy to communicate the scale of a project like this, but you've done it in top-notch fashion. A true public service!

[@Wolficorntv]

It’s tough to grasp the scale from ground level.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@Wolficorntv next time you'll have to keep going up to Merced, if you can. That's the north end of the initial Central Valley segment, and where riders will transfer between CAHSR, Amtrak San Joaquins and ACE Rail to reach the Bay Area and Sacramento. CAHSR is competing for additional federal IIJA grants totaling $4.7 billion to finish Merced-Bakersfield by 2030-33.

[@mautc1]

😊😊😊😊😊

[@TheRailwayDrone]

- What an absolutely breathtaking video. - This was the most complete video I've seen of this project so far. Even the music had me drawn in. - Really thankful for people like you who take the time to show us all what's going on. - This gives a good view of the size and scope of this project, and gives a new appreciation for the construction workers who do this. - I'm hopeful for this project, for California, and for this country that the rest will get on board.

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mrxman581]

Simply fantastic. This beats the drone footage hands down when it comes to getting the overall scope and perspective of this seminal public transit infrastructure project. Your video best captures the immensity of this endeavor. Truly breathtaking. It must have been similar to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge being built. This video fills in a gap not available on other YT sites that cover the CAHSR. Thank you so much for this! New sub.

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it!

[@himanshusingh5214]

You should look up NHSRCL's month end videos to see what the drones can do.

[@Trainboy1EJR]

Drone footage is good for individual structures. This simply goes at like 10x the altitude and 300x the range a drone is allowed to fly at for the grand scope. Far closer to the Great Wall of China than just the Golden Gate Bridge.

[@wonderstruck.]

1:11 This is misleading. Yes, Merced-Bakersfield is the only new CAHSR segment under construction today. But the shared SF-San Jose segment with Caltrain is also under active construction. Electrification has finished, as has the first part of the SF station work.

[@stevens1041]

Caltrain was going to do those projects long before CHSR was even a thing. So its not misleading at all. Calling Caltrain work as CHSR work is incorrect. The reason why Caltrain originally wanted to electrify is so Caltrain can tunnel to downtown SF, another project in the works before CHSR was even an idea.

[@wonderstruck.]

@@stevens1041 the 1999 Prop H notwithstanding, Caltrain electrification was dead due to lack of funding until CAHSR agreed to help fund it in exchange for sharing track access. Caltrain wanted to extend into Downtown SF for more than a century (before it was even called Caltrain), but it never got the necessary funds until it became tied to CAHSR and its funding sources.

[@novagiragos]

That was a cool video. Can't wait to see the northern portions being built.

[@noremfor]

Hopefully it'll be done quicker. The entire section that'll be used in the Bay Area is complete already, as the High Speed Rail will use Caltrain's current route from Gilroy to 4th and King St, while extending into the city to the Salesforce Transit Center. I have a lot of optimism and faith in this large undertaking. People may doubt it now, but when it's finished, it'll send a message to the rest of America that high speed rail is possible.

[@TheOnlyBlackInMeWasWillieBrown]

Mouth breathers like you os why California is broke and people are struggling in California. Nobody in the central valley supports the crazy train that has now cots 3x the original price and not a single mile of track has been laid

[@aluisious]

@@noremfor bullshit 1) Where is Caltrain going to run if HSR is on their tracks? 2) THERE ARE ROAD CROSSINGS ON CALTRAIN TRACKS YOU CANNOT RUN A FUCKING HIGH SPEED TRAIN ACROSS A ROAD

[@ianhomerpura8937]

@@aluisious you CAN run a high speed train across a road. KTX in South Korea do that all the time. You know what, travel more.

[@noremfor]

@@aluisious you seriously need to do some research

[@shopdog831]

Thanks for the update on the project its actually really appreciated for those of us trying to keep an eye on the progress

[@TJFlyingAdventures]

Wow ... What stunning scenery! Hope this mega project eventually gets finished!!

[@Wolficorntv]

Me too!

[@TheOnlyBlackInMeWasWillieBrown]

It won't, it a money laundering scheme

[@bassman87]

the only way this project won't get finished is if we pull the plug on it. I look at other mega projects like the interstate system, which took 50 years to complete and went vastly over budget. yet I dont hear anyone complaining that we should have never built it. As long as we keep focus it'll get done.

[@billfly2186]

Next level video. Good to see you again.

[@Nilessterner]

This is really a fantastic project. Well done. It shows the scale and challenges of building this critical project. People dont see what the future will hold once it is complete and operational. We will not be able to imagine a time without it. That trunnel between Palmdale and Burbank will be insane. They need to get started ASAP.

[@mikesallaberry3718]

I want to see CA HSR completed but am actually more excited about the Brightline West HSR btwn LA and Vegas. There is hope it will be completed by the Olympics in 2028. That will be a game changer as so many Americans have never traveled outside of N America - or even the country - and experienced high speed rail. Experiencing how fast and smooth it is will create many converts.

[@Wolficorntv]

I can see certainly see Brightline opening the eye for many about rail benefits but in reality it won't be a very good representation of HSR capability due to it's many shortcomings. That said...better than nothing.

[@mikesallaberry3718]

@@Wolficorntv Beyond the stations not being ideally located, what shortcomings are there?

[@Wolficorntv]

@@mikesallaberry3718 it's not truly high speed (up to 180mph), it's primarily single track plus it the most obvious stations shortcomings. That said...better than nothing.

[@mikesallaberry3718]

@@Wolficorntv From everything I've read, it will be traveling over 180 mph. Maybe you're thinking of Brightline East, which is diesel and slower than HSR. Single vs double track doesn't really define HSR, from what I know - it's the speed. Vegas to SoCal is a relatively short line so with proper planning and scheduling, having a single track in some sections can work fine. What's interesting to me is how the Vegas-LA line would be highly improved by the southern section of Phase 2, which would add a line btwn LA Union Station and San Diego, passing through Rancho Cucamonga where the Brightline West line starts. I think that phase should be accelerated as then you'd have HSR btwn LA, San Diego, and Vegas.

[@mikesallaberry3718]

@@Wolficorntv Just watched this well done simulation and discussion of Brightline West, based on official EIR documents. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nompkJqVltZrrMU

[@JoshuaFagan]

This is better than basically anything on the Cal HSR KZbin account. You're doing better advertising for them than they're doing for themselves.

[@milom7865]

Wow tbh I assumed that the route pretty much always followed pre-existing rail corridors. I thought it was about making the curves more straight, leveling the terrain and adding grade separated crossings. Didn’t realize much of the work is basically just building a completely new railway.

[@JayDeeKayaker]

Really like the arial view of the project! Everyone who has ever used high-speed rail is likely to agree we finally need something like it in the US! The Shinkansen in Japan is legendary anyway, and unbeatable in terms of performance and reliability. But the French TGV, the German ICE, Spanish high-speed rail, the Chunnel train, and the high-speed rail system in China serve as other striking examples of how travel in the up-to-500-mile range can be soooo much more efficient and convenient than flying. On a business trip in Japan a few months ago, I walked up to the ticket counter and was given the options of a Nozomi Shinkansen train (the fastest kind) either 12, 24 or 38 minutes later. Not knowing how long it was going to take me to get to the platform, I picked the 38-minute option. I would have easily made the train leaving 12 minutes later. With time to spare...

[@scott-o3345]

On that train all graphite and glitter, underground by rail, 90 minutes from LA to Frisco........what a wonderful world this will be, what a glorious time to be free.

[@patcarbin]

This has to be the most comprehensive video I've ever seen about his project!! Thank you for putting this together and I must say you did an excellent job on the background-music. It definitely gives that feeling of the enormous challenges this project is facing, but with that same glimpse of optimism that you end your video with. Great work!!

[@Wolficorntv]

Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jonnielan3954]

As a City Planner for the City of Merced, I am a little disappointed that the flight didn't include our small northern segment, especially since we are actively working with the CHRA on both our Merced Station and the Madera to Merced track segment. Other than that, the footage is pretty cool.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx for the comment and sorry for the disappointment. I stopped at Madera is b/c the construction stopped there...at least that was my understanding. Is there construction happening on that section? I would certainly love to do a follow up in the future when more has been built out.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@Wolficorntv The Madera to Merced segment is anticipated to begin construction in 2026, but that's pending getting the remaining funding needed for the IOS (Merced-Bakersfield). CHSRA is about $7 billion short, and is counting on $4.7 billion in IIJA grants to be awarded over the next two years to help close their funding gap, with the remainder to come from state cap & trade funds.

[@marswind285]

Go Cal go. You need modern infrastructure. When your country soon is liberated from control of 'flow of exchange', then you regain the strength you were famous for. Greets from Germany.

[@ChessInstructorSF]

Wow is what I can say! Very nice music to accompany the flight, not too much chatter but enough to make the journey worthwhile and understandable! And YES I am also itching to ride this train one day! I hope that this will happen soon! And I think CA should hire a Japanese company to make this project happen! Japanese and high speed rail and high speed rail and Japan are one of the same! They know how to make it happen! Thanks for the flight, now I want to go and watch that plane “parking lot” video!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it! And now I know who to reach out to for chess instruction :)

[@4AMO4]

Great work, hope to see a north portion too.

[@arandomyoutubechannel2940]

Nice video, this is super descriptive and very informative. This is even better than the "updates" the California High Speed Rail Authority themselves put out. Well done 👏

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad it was helpful!

[@maisonavery]

It always just ceases to amaze me that humans built all of this. With the help of machines, of course. So much infrastructure and insane freeways, planned out winding neighborhoods, and gridded out farmland, it’s just impressive, honestly. Sure our planet is dying because of us, but holy crap humans are incredible - what amazing scenery from that high above, so cool!

[@ross4]

Really cool footage. I'm a big fan of this project. Yes it's expensive as hell but it's truly paving the way for North America.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx and yes...expensive but honestly if you look at all infrastructure projects....they are all expensive!! The longer this gets dragged out budget-wise the more expensive it becomes!

[@javierestrada9621]

What awesome video and I can't wait for this high speed rail come to a reality!

[@chard195]

Amazing work, also very calming to watch

[@FeaturePods]

15:07 that bridge over the SJQ river has been under construction for years and I pretty much grew up watching it rise from the ground. I hope one day to ride the train.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

it wrapped up construction a few years ago. Now it's just a matter of connecting it to the guideway at ground level.

[@justwhenithought]

Very interesting. Thank you for taking us along for the flight.

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jackimperatrice4599]

I live in fresno and can say the progress here has been amazing seeing some neighborhoods and areas of town slowly change for the future

[@blancolirio]

Thanks Wolfie!

[@Wolficorntv]

thx Juan!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Love your videos, man. The clarity of the images is incredible! This is one of my favorites, along with the VCV video you did during the pandemic.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx Bruno. Maybe the stars align and we can do a Grumman collab one of these days.

[@SparkyFinch]

As much as people trash the project as typical "Gov Gone Mad" content, it's an ambitious idea that could theoretically support massive population growth in a beautiful part of the world. I hope it works out. Definitely seems like they're struggling with it tho.

[@bobeddy8629]

Most of the "struggle" was nothing but Republican obstructionism.

[@drscopeify]

Fantastic to see the full flight over the rail line. One of the most incredible features of the San Gabriel mountain range is how the Entire range has been split in 2, and moved dozens of miles from where it originally was located due to the force of the San Andreas fault Line. You can find multiple mountains in the San Gabriel that have been split in 2 halves and today are incredible distance away from where the other half is located now.

[@staubach1979rt]

A trip along the original Los Angeles Aqueduct would be pretty cool.

[@andreawaterstreet3901]

Amazing footage!!!! I live in SF and got rid of my car about 15 years ago. I’ve been taking the Amtrak Capital Corridor to visit family in Sacramento for years, and I’ve taken the high speed rails in Europe many times. I definitely support this project-and I pay my taxes in this state.

[@ahoog69]

An excellent, informative presentation!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it!

[@jj.flores]

Such a cool video! Great idea - it really shows just how much work it is! Just thinking about the bit through the San Gabriel mountains was INTENSE

[@jaydioxide]

Now we have Lucid Stew's CHSR road trip visualized with ariel view!

[@johnsamu]

To compare, in 2008 China had almost ZERO high speed lines. Nowadays ALL major and many minor cities all over the country are connected via high speed rail. Even an extremely difficult to build line to Tibet has been finished. In the SAME timeframe the USA is still struggling to build ONE (NOT extremely difficult) relatively SHORT line (it's not stretching the country). That shows how far the USA has been lagging behind with China/Europe/Japan.

[@jameswoffinden9215]

The problem is rich people always fight against it because they don’t want to pay additional taxes and probably won’t use it. Then you have the landowners who fight in court against it going through their land, same as regular trains fighting for right of way back in the day.

[@arjunyg4655]

let’s uh get some *checks notes* authoritarian single-party rule *hmm* in here to build HSR faster?

[@johnsamu]

@@arjunyg4655 So according to you all of Europe, Japan and even a poor developing country like Indonesia are having an authoritarian government? ALL of these countries already have High speed rail for decades while the USA is still struggling TRYING to build ONE.

[@arjunyg4655]

@@johnsamu​​⁠No lmao. But they have spent the better part of a century building out their passenger rail networks, instead of progressively optimizing them for freight-only. I was really looking at comparing China to the USA specifically since 2008. You’ll also note that Japan has been working on the Chūō Shinkansen since about 2007 (when funding began being planned), about the same as CAHSR. And the Chūō Shinkansen is expected to open later than CAHSR still (2034)! CAHSR is not doing amazingly well, but it isn’t unbelievably slow either for a 21st century project in a democratic society. HS2 is another comparison point. Outside China, things have moved a lot slower for many decades.

[@BEASLAND000]

also doesnt help that anytime anything public transit is even floated, millions of car brains go HOMLESS BAD

[@jocanine2750]

in the future this will be a mesmerizing video

[@seldomseenslim7887]

Awesome.. Thank you! I have driven the route up to Hanford.. It is a huge project. I would bet they just tie in with metro link in Palmdale if it even makes it south of Bakersfield. The underground section is going to be a hard sell when there is already rail service from Union Station to Palmdale.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@seldomseenslim7887 I very much doubt SoCal will be cool letting HSR end in Bakersfield, and will push to at least get it to Palmdale ASAP, whether that’s after HSR reaches SF, as is CAHSR’s next goal once Merced-Bakersfield is done, or ideally there’ll be enough available funding to go to San Jose/SF and Palmdale simultaneously.

[@seldomseenslim7887]

@@ChrisJones-gx7fc Without a nonstop commute from LA To at least San Jose or the Bay area nobody will ride and it will soon bankrupt.. Southern Cal is not big on mass transit and the powers that be, don't spend tax dollars here like up north.. The coming rescission will likely downsize this project to death! I believe Brightline to Vegas will workout great.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@seldomseenslim7887 apart from all the riders in the Central Valley (a population of over six million people and growing, 2/3rds of whom live between Merced and Bakersfield) that’ll travel to the Bay Area for work and recreation. Plus getting HSR to at least Palmdale and the Metrolink connection to LA closes the SoCal-CV passenger rail gap and would create the all-rail LA-SF journey. The travel time between LA and Bakersfield would be marginally faster than the current nonstop bus ride (2 1/2 hours bus vs 2 hours Metrolink + 23-25 minutes HSR + time to transfer at Palmdale), but would potentially offer more capacity and a more pleasant ride experience than a thruway bus.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@seldomseenslim7887 apart from all the riders in the Central Valley (a population of over six million people and growing, 2/3rds of whom live between Merced and Bakersfield) that’ll travel to the Bay Area for work and recreation. Plus getting HSR to at least Palmdale and the Metrolink connection to LA closes the SoCal-CV passenger rail gap and would create the all-rail LA-SF journey. The travel time between LA and Bakersfield would be marginally faster than the current nonstop bus ride, but would offer more capacity and a more pleasant travel experience than a thruway bus that’s also less prone to bad weather.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@seldomseenslim7887 As for Brightline West, it’s traveling from a station three miles south of the Strip to one 40 miles east of LA, at an average of a little over 100 mph (218 miles in about two hours) on a mostly single track mainline in the middle of a freeway, with two intermediate stops in very inconvenient locations, especially Victor Valley. It’ll have both a lower top speed and average speed than CAHSR, with lower capacity, plus it’s being built for a very different purpose. While CAHSR is being built to link up the six (and eventually 8) largest cities, and 3 mega-regions, in the state, BLW is being primarily built to shuttle Southern Californians to and from Vegas for the weekend, offering a much needed alternative to driving I-15, and one talked about since the late 1990s. It won’t be competitive with flying between LA and Vegas, and really only competitive with driving depending on where you start from, while CAHSR will outcompete driving and be very competitive with flying for LA-SF and the cities in between like San Jose, Merced, Fresno, Bakersfield, and even Palmdale.

[@DavidPalmer707]

Stunning footage! Side note… that Bakersfield Station location looks quite unfortunate.

[@Wolficorntv]

Yeah...the same could probably be said about several of the locations. That said, I'd imagine business would eventually flourish near the stations.

[@mrxman581]

​@@WolficorntvIndeed. The station locations were greatly affected by local city input. It's obvious what cities wanted them and which ones didn't. Fresno did well by welcoming the CAHSR.

[@JordanPeace]

Yeah, if they had just put it slightly to the east in the urban grid portion that’s already along the alignment anyways, it would’ve given them much more useable space for urban growth around the station and still been about the same distance from the existing downtown. Kind of a shame that even with high speed rail project we’re still catering to car-oriented development patterns

[@PercivalFakeman]

I purchased rentals along the light rail route in Sacramento. Housing and businesses will find a way to be close by. It takes a while. Even when the locals fight you on it. It is great way to build an economy. These cities will benefit from it as well.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@mrxman581 I and I'm sure many others are so glad that not only is the historic SP depot going to be preserved, but also incorporated into the future HSR station. Construction on that station is funded and should begin in full force in I think 2026.

[@jaceksulek]

I just found your channel randomly on my phone. Can’t wait to go back home to see this fly-by on full TV screen.

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you found me! My videos are definitely best watched on large screens :)

[@NicksDynasty]

Can't wait to ride it!

[@nativeamerican8069]

You'll be waiting a long time

[@artworthi]

Bro what a concept - love this, immediate sub!

[@everkingilllili-_iil5163]

I like to see that the us government is finally investing in Highspeed trains, hopefully this project will be completed soon👍

[@enzomthethwa5861]

I am LOVING THIS MUSIC! Thanks for leaving the details in the description! Unfortunately, I can only find some of the songs on Spotify.

[@Wolficorntv]

Maybe you’ll have better luck searching KZbin?

[@daviddittrich5764]

Such a well made video!

[@Wolficorntv]

Thank you!

[@maisonavery]

Wow your photos are stunning. You’re an awesome human! Thanks for this update, I’m glad this video got recommended to me, I was wondering about this project.

[@Wolficorntv]

thank you so much. I'm glad you found me :)

[@torunit4620]

The Japanese built their Shinkansen bullet train in 1964. I rode it in 1966. This could have been started 60 years ago, if anybody had some forethought. We definitely talked about it in school in 1970. So many of the man-made obstacles that this project has had to accommodate have been built since then. The geographic obstacles have existed since before human beings, we accommodated them for the California Water Project and Interstate highways. How many fewer expensive flyover viaducts would be required had we jumped into action even 50 years ago, maybe at the beginning of forward thinking Jerry Brown's first administration?

[@torunit4620]

Yeah the time to act I just mentioned was the disaster California exported to the nation; the administration of Ronald Reagan.

[@teutguy1]

@@torunit4620 yeah ...repubs governors like Reagan, Deukmajian, Wilson and Schwarzenegger...lack of infrastructure under these dopes is criminal...

[@bbundridge]

Thank you for this video! It truly shows how much has been done. I am surprised they arent going into Bakersfield, as that would have been a natural end point for being that close. Perhaps this can become a yearly series? Great flying!

[@Wolficorntv]

That is the plan. My understanding is the contract for that section hasn't yet been awarded. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

[@renaes2807]

Awesome video! When did you fly?

[@Wolficorntv]

This was filmed August 14

[@mrxman581]

​@@WolficorntvThat's my birthday. That's for the bday gift.😄

[@jdillon8360]

Great video! Looking forward to seeing it completed.

[@Wolficorntv]

You and me both!

[@mannyzx1]

You took off from Whiteman. As someone who grew up in Pacoima, it made me really happy. How I miss my old neighborhood. Also, kudos on how you did a great job of keeping it neutral. When it was announced I thought it a great idea (for the time until completion and cost), but I worried about corruption. Turns out, my worries were absolutely valid, I wish that the project was never started.

[@marcodanderson]

CAHSR is a case of capitalist capture not necessarily corruption. You may know more than me. But the bigger problem is that High Speed Rail was a 10 person planning/ think-tank group that ballooned into an $8 Billion dollar agency over night. The big engineering firms capable of doing this work convinced them to put all that money into beginning design work and not putting nearly enough into public outreach and engagement. Engineers aren't great at understanding that you have to talk to human beings before you can show them drawings of lines on maps. And that created space for opposing forces to work the locals up agains the project.

[@XerxesZangeneh]

Just a correction: the initial operation segment (IOS) is between Bakersfield and Merced, not Madera

[@andrewlau7049]

Transit and planes, sign me UP!

[@franciscobernalavila1771]

Great video, it's the first time I listen about this pambicious project

[@russsmith3047]

I sincerely believe the segment from Bakersfield to LA must be completed next. There is only a bus connection from Bakersfield to LA now!! AFTER connecting to LA, the CAHSR could use existing rail connection to SFO or any convenient BART Station until CAHSR construction catches up.

[@Wolficorntv]

My understanding, unfortunately, is that the Central Valley to SF section will be the next section. I'm not entirely sure what weighed into that decision but the logical guess is because it will cost less to get that section up and running. The unfortunate reality of this project is that it can only be built bit by bit as the money trickles in b/c there simply isn't enough financial support to fully commit. The end result of this approach is the costs rise the longer this gets stretched out.

[@TheRailwayDrone]

@@Wolficorntv I hope the next administration gives much more money to this project.

[@memunist5765]

Using BART is a terrible idea. Not only does it have third-rail electrification, as opposed to CAHSR's catenary wires. BART also uses broad gauge, not normal gauge. But the main reason to not use BART is because it is frequently transit. A high speed train would ruin that. A train going 110 mph needs a lot of space in front of it when the other trains average 35 mph. That is why they are choosing to go with Caltrain. Which does use standard gauge and has recently been electrified along CAHSR standards. Although you are still running into the problem of frequency because they refuse to four-track the corridor.

[@fuuny510]

You doin gods work bud !! Keep hopes alive with getting our best coming to reality train project done ✔️

[@danielwalker26]

I would love to be able to hop on a train and go from Sacramento to LA. It would be so much better than flying.

[@AFGsultanZ]

And I love flying too. But flying for me is mostly for international trips or far domestic trips like California to NY. Trains would definitely be more useful for closer places, like cars, but even better when you have both plus flying when you can go anywhere. In other words, the more options to travel from one place to another, the better.

[@Yourbuddykiko]

Can I just looks like they should’ve started the project where they just have to ask the state for acquiring the land. It’s literally upsets me seeing pieces not finished here in Fresno or around the county. And thank you for showing us the views.

[@DiegoGomez-pk5tg]

Sick video and music bro

[@weirdfish1216]

This is so freaking cool. You should definitely make this into an annual series if possible. No other video has conveyed the insane scale of this project as well as this one.

[@thomas6502]

Looking forward to a day when riding this train is possible. Thanks for the aerial adventure and perspective!

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@thomas6502 earliest date that CAHSR is aiming for is 2030, and as far out as 2033. Any timeline beyond that for reaching SF and LA comes down to funding, just as it always has.

[@Bolewski10]

Really cool video! I checked out your website to look at those prints and they are definitely really cool. The only thing that jumps out at me, is why is the Tehachapi Loop print mirrored?

[@Wolficorntv]

At first I was like what is he talking about. Then I looked at the print and then my source footage and sure enough you are correct!! Great catch and thank you so much! In the process of prepping that image for the site it got vertically flipped for some reason and I didn't catch it. I will def fix that today. To show my appreciation, if you happen to have any interest, join the mailing list on my site and I will directly reach out to you with a significant discount code (different from the code for sign up). No pressure...just my way of saying thank you for that!

[@Bolewski10]

@@Wolficorntv I’ll take you up on that! I’ll do that now. It confused me for a bit looking at it 😂

[@Bolewski10]

Ordered a print of the Tehachapi Loop. We live just a few minutes up the road and our guest room is Tehachapi/Rail themed. So it will be perfect up there. Thanks!

[@osmanhossain676]

I always want California High-Speed Rail in California and I always love California High-Speed Rail in California.😮

[@brandonbloomquist3267]

That was wonderful! Thank you!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

It's worth noting that initial $33 billion price tag was a very early estimate done before the full scope of the project was known. When voters approved Prop 1A in 2008 to greenlight the project, the estimated price tag was at about $45 billion. CAHSR currently has $28.7 billion in approved funding, of which about $13 billion has been spent. They have enough funding in hand and identified to complete Merced to Bakersfield by 2030-2033 and begin revenue service with up to six high speed trainsets. Their next goal is to reach SF via the now electrified Caltrain corridor, which they helped fund, and then head south to LA. When construction on those happens is dependent on funding. The final segment of the entire SF-LA route was recently environmentally cleared, a crucial step toward starting construction. In the meantime, people will be able to connect with HSR in Merced and Bakersfield via other rail and bus transit to/from the Bay Area, Sacramento and SoCal.

[@f-86zoomer37]

The Pacheco pass tunneling will truly be an insane feat of engineering. It will be expensive, but it links all of Bakersfield and Fresno and various towns along the corridor to Silicon Valley and SF. And the economic benefit from that alone will justify all the costs. The benefit for future generations who will ride the trains will be worth it alone too.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@f-86zoomer37 no more insane than the Channel Tunnel or St Gotthard Tunnel. For the US it’ll by far be the longest rail tunnel at 13.5 miles, and through a seismically-active area, but then Japan and Taiwan build rail tunnels through seismically active areas too with no issues. CAHSR will have experts on hand for building this, just as they have all along.

[@mrxman581]

Well said.

[@f-86zoomer37]

@@ChrisJones-gx7fc it would be one of the largest challenges for the US. We haven’t had to build a rail tunnel that can support electric trains going at 150+ mph

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@f-86zoomer37 and I don’t think really beyond 100 mph. There are a few tunnels on the NEC, but I’m pretty sure most if not all of those lead into stations, so trains are slowing down anyway, or have too tight of a radius for higher speeds. Those tunnels were first built in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and it’s only recently that they’re finally getting modern upgrades/replacements. Pacheco Pass will not only be the longest US rail tunnel, but also as you said the first for true high speed rail in the US, designed for speeds of over 200 mph. That said, other countries have successfully built many high speed rail tunnels, and it is some of that expertise that’ll be applied to building ours here.

[@bryantgrantham8992]

Very professionally done. Thank you!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it!

[@amandaburleson2035]

damn bro. my kids are gonna have a good future using this

[@homierubikscubedude5]

As someone in the central valley, I was optimistic seeing all the construction from madera to fresno and all the way to Visalia for the past nearly decade but knowing it hasn’t started construction in the north and south all that optimism is gone lol. i hope they open up at least from madera to bakersfield because everyone in the central valley has family spread around.

[@Wolficorntv]

Unfortunately the elections have most certainly pushed back needed federal support for the LA and SF sections. That said…I hope the Central Valley section gets finished near its projected time frame of 2030.

[@ragtowne]

The California High-Speed Rail Authority was created in 1996 to develop a high speed rail system to connect major metropolitan areas of California with service between northern and southern California. Prop 1A passed in 2008 and sold a $10 billion 30-year bond to construct the rail line core segments from San Francisco to Los Angeles area and on local railroad interconnect systems. Its now 16 years later the cost estimate for just an initial 171-mile segment in the central valley (Merced to Bakersfield) now exceeds the $33 billion estimate for the entire 500-mile system, is estimated to be operational by 2033, and exceeds currently secured funding by $10 billion. There is no estimate of when the entire system will be operational BUT the full system cost is now estimated at up to $128 billion ($95 billion more than originally estimated) - not including segments to Palmdale and Anaheim - leaving more than a $100 billion funding gap. Much of the previous cost overrun is due to more than 1,000 change orders approved by the rail authority or by contractors, such as not realizing the need for massive barriers to prevent freight trains on nearby tracks derailing and crashing into a bullet train. Even though the rail authority had 12 years to study the problem it was never thought through before being presented to the voting public. If Prop 1A tried to sell the true cost in the form of a $150 billion 30-year bond to build the entire system in no less than 30 years it would never have been passed. This is government mismanagement on steroids.

[@stephanweinberger]

to be fair: those barriers are a uniquely US thing - and they actually show the decrepit state of US rail infrastructure, when massive derailments are considered to be a regular problem.

[@ragtowne]

@@stephanweinberger the high-speed rail authority had 12 years to prepare the plan before presenting it to the voters for approval and the fact they missed this major issue is one of the many reasons why this project is so over budget instead of $10 billion now it’s “estimated” to be $150 billion - I never would have voted for this if I knew the true cost

[@stephanweinberger]

@@ragtowne That said, a couple walls surely aren't the _main_ problem here. I still maintain, that the primary reasons for the budget overruns are a) the deliberate blockades by various interest groups, drawing out planning and construction and thereby driving up cost, and b) lack of experience with HSR, exacerbated by 'not invented here' syndrome that prevents just using foreign expertise. But even considering all that it's still mindboggling from an European perspective. Even in Germany (which isn't exactly known for cheap labour and swift bureaucracy) such a project would only cost about 1/5th to 1/3rd. And the Spanish manage to build for about half that! E.g. the latest HSR section in Germany (Wendlingen to Ulm) cost about 4 billion for 60km (i.e. ~65 million/km), whereas CaliHSR phase 1 is now projected to cost ~135 million/km - but keep in mind that the German line is literally 50% in tunnels, whereas phase 1 is ~90% on simple flat land in the central valley.

[@lostbird25]

We do electrical work on PW jobs and I can attest to improper and uneducated planning on the part of engineers when it comes to any PW job, let alone one of this scale. Granted, this scale is massive so all the ins and outs would never be known. But to be naive enough to think a 500+ mile high speed train would ONLY be $10BN is stupid to say the least. But, the politicians (thanks Brown) need some logical reason to sell the bond so they could sell their real estate! To anyone whos does these scale projects over decades-YES DECADES FOR THIS JOB-for it to not even be in the teen-billions would be lying to themselves, at best.

[@embreeja]

I used to drive this route and more (from Sacramento to Edwards Air Force Base - Palmdale/Lancaster to LA) often. I5 or Hwy 99 from Sactown, down through Bakersfield and up over the hills through Tehachapi, down to Mojave, Palmdale and my stop at Edwards, then to Altadena/Pasadena where I was born. It took me around 6 hours (yes I 'sped' sometimes). If I flew it would take me just as long (drive to the airport, land in Burbank, rent a car, drive back up to Edwards AFB). But if this high speed rail was in place I could have done it ---- probably in about 6 hours with all the stops getting to the rail station, security, renting a car at the distant end, etc). I am a Native of California, and have seen it change SO much over the years (I am 73). All for the worse. This project is one of those 'it seems to me like a boondoggle' things... Yet I am paying for it and sometimes I wish they (the politicians) would just go away.

[@yves.corminboeuf]

Perfect video, It's a pleasure to see how this project is going. Greetings from Switzerland

[@grozian]

Awesome video, thank you for this perspective!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wwesuperstar1100]

Just you see when California is finished, many other states are going to want their own.

[@Wolficorntv]

Exactly. And all the HSR-seasoned workers will take their knowledge and experience and apply it to other projects.

[@paavola2]

In 30 years?

[@annabella6779]

Wow! Awesome video, great footage.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx. Glad you liked it.

[@mb_1024]

Very cool! I think few people understand the massive scope of this project, but seeing like this, more will.

[@lightonflux]

Thanks for the great video. If you ever do a follow-up video, could you release it with ~60fps?

[@Wolficorntv]

I'd like to make a follow up in a couple years. This was shot in 60fps on one of the cameras (I had 3 outside). It would be a loooooong boring video (for most people) if it played back at that speed.

[@GeezerGeekPilot]

Bryan, another masterful job! You have a great touch, including stunning aerial footage and calm, objective narration. Thanks for filming and posting. I share your optimism for the project. Wayne (DA40 KSBA) Techy BTW question: is the video available in 4K? (maybe still being processed by KZbin?)

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx Wayne. I finished this video in HD. Just make sure quality settings are set to HD...sometimes YT likes to auto set it lower than that.

[@GeezerGeekPilot]

Bryan, yes it plays top end at 1080p(HD) but I'm wondering if your camera didn't capture in something more like 2160p(4K).

[@Wolficorntv]

@@GeezerGeekPilot I captured everything at 4K I just didn't edit in 4K. The crap YT compression doesn't help.

[@TinLeadHammer]

​@@WolficorntvI wish it were at 60 fps.

[@Wolficorntv]

@@TinLeadHammer I filmed the entire route with 3 cameras. One hyperlapse, angle similar to hyperlapse at 30fps, "google earth view" at 60fps. Edit is at 24 fps so everything except hyperlapse in varying degrees of slomo. For THIS video, I obviously relied mainly on the hyperlapse cam.

[@SFOixpol]

Keep up the Hard work great footage!

[@stickynorth]

It's the most important infrastructure project in America to date, I just wish it was better managed or planned. I am still 100% for it and any other attempt at getting American's out of their cars and onto trains once again... And clearly if it's working well in Florida it can work well anywhere in the USA!

[@Wolficorntv]

Agreed!

[@mrxman581]

Florida doesn't have a HSR train. Stop conflating conventional passenger train service with HSR. IT'S NOT THE SAME THING!!! Being the first HSR train to be built in the USA is going to come with growing pains. CAHSR has learn from their initial missteps and has been on a role the last 4-5 years. They've righted the ship for the most part. But to be fair, they also had to deal with a tremendous amount of obstacles from conservatives and countless lawsuits.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@mrxman581 and even some in the party that generally supports HSR and transit. It was two state Democrats in SoCal who tried to hold up the remainder of Prop 1A funding. It's why when elections roll around, vote for those who support funding transit, including HSR.

[@DavelyMan-]

Hey- I recognize your airport. My Metrolink commute parallels the Whiteman Airport runway. Its fun when we hit it just right and a plane is taking off or landing along side the train.

[@JoseFloresEC]

California lookinh beatiful, and hopefully that beauty can be seen from the train too soon™

[@mrxman581]

Indeed. I've lived my whole 65 years in California and have never really seen the Central Valley. It's been mostly flyover territory. It will be wonderful to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of a HSR train and stopping at the various cities to explore.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

​@@mrxman581 it's a lot like California's Midwest. Seemingly just 'flyover country' but when you take the chance to stop and explore, you realize that there's a lot more to it, and that it isn't just 'nowhere'. I spent four years at college in Merced, and found that the Central Valley certainly has its own charm, that there's much to appreciate and enjoy.

[@inquiry9722]

Amazing video 🎉 well done good sir. I’ve always wanted to see downtown LA going to antelope valley if someone flew over the San Gabriel mountain range.

[@Wolficorntv]

Thx!

[@Matthew-pd8wf]

THIS IS SUCH A GOOD IDEA, thank you so much for making this video!!!!!!

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it!!

[@WilliamBusuttil]

28-09-2024. Thank you, thank you, thank you again, can't wait for the next update.What was the name of the music with the violin from Fresno or the San Juan naciem River????.

[@Wolficorntv]

Glad you liked it! The music credits are in the video description.

[@sjdorst]

Stunning video! Having said that, I wish that you had added an overly to show the intended route where the actual imagery doesn't show it clearly. Just a nitpick, admittedly.

[@Wolficorntv]

You just have to use your imagination for those parts

[@AngelicaMartinez-B7A]

It's amazing 😍

[@CrazeTheZilla]

This is an incredible video Thank you so much for doing this Screw the nimbys CaHSR IS MAKING MASSIVE PROGRESS!

[@TruFinancials]

Fantastic video!

[@Wolficorntv]

Thank you very much!

[@TubeLVT]

Travel along that route between Los Angeles and San Francisco is a tiny fraction of California’s transportation problems. If the HSR were in operation now, it would solve almost nothing.

[@Blaze6108]

Fun Fact: a Cessna 172 has an top operating speed of around 300 km/h. The train will routinely go faster than this at 350. When the TGV established the railway speed record at just over 570 km/h (that's not a typo), they had to use a private jet to follow it.

[@Wolficorntv]

The only time a 172 could be that fast would be in a straight down dive or 80 km/h tail wind but point taken :)

[@Blaze6108]

@@Wolficorntv hahahaha I’m a lot more practical with trains than planes (although they’re a not too distant second)! Amazing video BTW, I really like how you showed the structure of the curves on the right of way.

[@Wolficorntv]

@@Blaze6108glad you liked it!!

[@DennisSmithAIStockImageClub]

California is leading the way into the future with high speed rail from LA to San Francisco and the LA area to Las Vegas. Let's go America! ❤❤🤍🤍💙💙

[@Kanooky_Jones]

Lol

[@cardboardboxification]

yes 200 billion train so the homeless can Tavel back and forth

[@waxerprizm774]

@@cardboardboxificationcan’t u just appreciate positives?

[@RicardoE46]

@@waxerprizm774no cause democrats keep ruining this country san francisco is ruined already.

[@williamakifer]

There are no positive. Waist of billions.

[@KeithRowley]

Nice video, and what is the music? Love it!

[@Wolficorntv]

I added the music info in the video description.