A $19 Trillion Tunnel Could Whisk You from London to New York in Under an Hour

[Social Media]

 

Imagine boarding a train in London and stepping out in New York just 54 minutes later. While this might sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, a proposed Transatlantic Tunnel claims it could make this a reality.  

 

Backed by Elon Musk, this ambitious concept would allow passengers to travel the 3,400-mile (5,470 km) journey at astonishing speeds. However, the convenience comes with an eye-watering price tag—an estimated $19 trillion (£15 trillion), which is more than five times the UK's total gross domestic product. Musk has fueled excitement by suggesting that his tunnel-digging venture, The Boring Company, could complete the project for "1000-times less money."  

 

 

The technology behind such a tunnel is not entirely new. Using vacuum tubes and magnetically levitating trains, engineers believe they could eliminate almost all friction, allowing trains to reach speeds exceeding 3,000 mph (4,800 kmph). The result? A journey so smooth you wouldn't even spill your coffee.  

 

While this might seem like a futuristic dream, the idea of a transatlantic tunnel has been around for more than a century. The first known proposal appeared in an 1895 story by Michel Verne, son of the famed sci-fi writer Jules Verne. Titled *Un Express de l’Avenir* (*An Express of the Future*), it described a high-speed underwater connection between Europe and America. In 1913, German author Bernhard Kellerman wrote *Der Tunnel* (*The Tunnel*), which later inspired the 1935 English-language film *Transatlantic Tunnel*.  

 

In the early 20th century, the pioneering engineer Robert H. Goddard—credited with inventing the first liquid-fueled rocket—received patents for tunnel designs that hinted at this high-speed future. However, it is only in recent decades that advancing technology has made such an endeavor seem plausible.  

 

Two key innovations are bringing the Transatlantic Tunnel closer to reality. The first is magnetic levitation (maglev) trains, which use powerful electromagnets to lift the train off the tracks. This eliminates direct contact with the rails, significantly reducing friction and allowing for unprecedented speeds. Maglev trains are already operational in countries like Japan, Germany, and China, where they are considered the future of high-speed transport. China, in particular, is expanding its maglev network, with ambitions for passenger trains traveling over 621 miles (1,000 km) per hour—approaching the cruising speed of a Boeing 737.  

 

Currently, China has two operational maglev lines: the Changsha Maglev, which reaches 62 mph (101 kmph), and the Shanghai Maglev, which hits 268 mph (431 kmph). While impressive, these speeds are still far from what would be needed for a transatlantic journey in under an hour.  

That’s where the second crucial innovation comes in: vacuum tunnels. Instead of running trains on open-air tracks, they would travel inside enclosed tubes with the air pumped out, drastically reducing air resistance. This "hyperloop" design could allow trains to reach speeds exceeding 600 mph (965 kmph), far surpassing any current railway system.  

 

 

Elon Musk has long been an advocate for hyperloop technology, even proposing a vacuum-sealed tunnel between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Although the concept is still in its early stages, recent breakthroughs suggest that such a system is not entirely out of reach.  

 

While a $19 trillion transatlantic tunnel remains an enormous challenge, the combination of maglev and hyperloop technology could, one day, transform global travel. If realized, it could redefine transportation as we know it—bringing the world closer together in ways once thought impossible.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail  2025-02-26

 

 

[KhunLA]

Wonder how many millions they'll waste studying that proposal that will never happen.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

a proposed Transatlantic Tunnel

Call it the Transamerican Tunnel and Trump will be all-in.

[a3tsw]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Currently, China has two operational maglev lines: the Changsha Maglev, which reaches 62 mph (101 kmph), and the Shanghai Maglev, which hits 268 mph (431 kmph). While impressive, these speeds are still far from what would be needed for a transatlantic journey in under an hour.  

Can't say I'm overly impressed , perhaps by Thai rail standards...

[soalbundy]

Why would this be desirable?

[jts-khorat]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Backed by Elon Musk, this ambitious concept would allow passengers to travel the 3,400-mile (5,470 km) journey at astonishing speeds. However, the convenience comes with an eye-watering price tag—an estimated $19 trillion (£15 trillion), which is more than five times the UK's total gross domestic product. Musk has fueled excitement by suggesting that his tunnel-digging venture, The Boring Company, could complete the project for "1000-times less money."

 

I see, the Americans have found their own version of a "Wunderwaffe", together with the "Golden Dome".

 

Or maybe call it better "bread and games" to distract the masses.

 

It would be hilarious, if it would not have so much of an echo of Godwins Law in it.

[Lacessit]

It only takes one earthquake to screw it up. The mid-Atlantic ridge is seismically active.

 

Next.

[KhunBENQ]

When will Musk finally take off to Mars? Can't wait.

What a BS.

Think about the world's real problems Asperger!

[Mike_Hunt]

Unaffordable 

[KhunBENQ]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

It only takes one earthquake to screw it up.

Or an enemy submarine.

They can cut undersea cables and why not drill a hole in that fabolous tunnel.

[Stiddle Mump]

What about the fish?

[hotsun]

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

Why would this be desirable?

It would be desirable for native british. They would leave en masse

[soalbundy]

Just now, hotsun said:

It would be desirable for native british. They would leave en masse

but not to NYC.

[JonnyF]

Better off bringing back Concorde.

 

Connecting London to New York is dangerous. The Dems might get re-elected in a couple of decades.  

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, a3tsw said:

Can't say I'm overly impressed , perhaps by Thai rail standards...

In both cases mentioned the total distance of the line is very short (e.g. city to Shanghai International airport - 33 kilometers) so the train has to start the slow down process very quickly after it departs the city / airport station or it wouldn't be able to stop at the destination.

 

Done that trip several times, yes it's fast.

On one trip took my 18 year old Thai son who wouldn't believe the speeds advertised.

 

Within 10 seconds of departing the Shanghai city station he was convinced. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

What would be the 'G' forces on passengers during the acceleration/deceleration phases and the time of those phases?

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

It only takes one earthquake to screw it up. The mid-Atlantic ridge is seismically active.

 

Next.

Always glass half empty

[CallumWK]

April came early this year

[bendejo]

There will have to be a station halfway through where it stops and everyone pays the DT tariff.

 

[rovinman]

3 hours ago, soalbundy said:

Why would this be desirable?

It isn"t. ! ........... Just think ,  Elon Muskovitch could be in London in Less than an Hour  !  !  !  !

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, jts-khorat said:

 

I see, the Americans have found their own version of a "Wunderwaffe", together with the "Golden Dome".

 

Or maybe call it better "bread and games" to distract the masses.

 

It would be hilarious, if it would not have so much of an echo of Godwins Law in it.

Please dont make any allusions comparing your history to ours. Just be thankful we didnt run the Morganthau plan on you. Far as I am concerned, if y'all arent saying Yes Sir to us, you shouldnt talk at all.

 

PS, you should be worrying more about the state of your failing economy and your inability to defend yourselves. And the inflation? The FKKs are getting too expensive! And the graffiti, burkhas, turbans and garbage? Yikes. So much for lederhosen

[Yagoda]

1 minute ago, rovinman said:

It isn"t. ! ........... Just think ,  Elon Muskovitch could be in London in Less than an Hour  !  !  !  !

You do know that the Mods hate childish nicknames. But hey, tell us why you gave him that one other than kindergarden ego needs.

[Purdey]

I wonder how many years before it breaks even and will the ticket price match airline or conventional train prices?

[Jeff the Chef]

7 minutes ago, Purdey said:

I wonder how many years before it breaks even and will the ticket price match airline or conventional train prices?

 

Will I be able to get it on a Red Rover ticket?

[nauseus]

No detail. This submarine suggestion has few real comparisons with, and far more operational challenges than, the Chinese hyperloop.

 

Why not just wait for the Star Trek transporter to arrive?

 

Beam me up, Scotty.

[JonnyF]

On the plus side, Ellen could be back in the US before 11am. 

[FritsSikkink]

4 hours ago, a3tsw said:

Can't say I'm overly impressed , perhaps by Thai rail standards...

Leaving out the higher speed: "which hits 268 mph (431 kmph)."

Most probably quicker than your home country.

[Callmeishmael]

I'm sure that the DOGE savings will more than pay for this very useful and practical tunnel.  😝

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Always glass half empty

You add so much to every thread.

[Harrisfan]

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

You add so much to every thread.

Yes because we are "idiots" and enjoy life.