Texas Train Fast as a Speeding Bullet

Facts about the proposed Texas bullet train:

ROUTE: The first two legs would run between Houston and Dallas, and San Antonio and Dallas. A third leg, connecting San Antonio and Houston, has been discussed.

COST: Estimates for all three legs range from $5.5 billion to $6 billion.

BUILDERS: A group of American and French investors led by Morrison Knudsen Corp. of Idaho. The group used to be called Texas TGV, but has changed its name to the Texas High-Speed Rail Corp. The state agency in charge of overseeing the project is the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority.

FARES: The builders say they would be comparable to airline fares.

TIMETABLE: Service from Houston to Dallas, with stops at Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport and Ft. Worth, must start by the end of 1998. The San Antonio-Austin-Dallas leg must start by the end of 1999.

SPEED: Normal cruising speed would be 200 m.p.h. Speeds would be reduced in cities. The trip from Houston to Dallas would take 1 1/2 hours; the trip from San Antonio to Dallas, one hour and 44 minutes. Both trips take about five hours to drive.