JetTrain

While two large classes of gas-turbine powered intercity railcars (ETG and RTG) continued to be used in France up until about 2000, both the TGV and APT switched to all-electric operation, with the installation of overhead lines to support them.

In North America, where funding to upgrade rail lines was limited, electric operation was only an option for the busiest routes, and remains rare.

Canadian National Railway (CN) and Via Rail continued to run their TurboTrains into the early 1980s, before they too were replaced with diesel–electric units, such as the LRC train.

Another change that has taken place over the last few decades is the widespread use and standardization of head end power (HEP) to provide electricity to the rest of the train for running the environmental controls and entertainment systems.

Since these power requirements are fairly steady, even while the train is parked, it is not uncommon to use a separate engine just for this role, highly tuned to these operational needs.

This reduction in mass per axle places considerably less stress on the rails, allowing the train to operate at higher speeds without changes to the railbed.

Due to its lighter weight and modern engine, the JetTrain has greenhouse gas emissions that are 30% lower than a diesel unit operating at the same speeds.

Safety testing started at the Transportation Technology Center (Pueblo, Colorado) in the summer of 2001, where it reached a maximum speed of 156 miles per hour (251 km/h).

The Florida system was originally slated to open in 2009, but was denied funding by a referendum in 2004, after the start of detail engineering stages.

In January 2008, the premiers of Ontario and Quebec announced a feasibility study for the Corridor, giving high speed trains another chance.

The Van Horne Institute also completed a study with Bombardier regarding the suitability of JetTrain service between the two largest cities in Alberta, Edmonton and Calgary.

According to the Governor Ivonne Ortega, the train must run on diesel at an average speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), for which Bombardier deemed suitable the use of The JetTrain.