A reasonable future for South Louisiana

New Orleans Light Rail: I don’t agree with some of the Light Rail routes from the Forked map, but it's a good starting place. I am assuming all of these are modern light rail/trams, with something like the Alstom Citadis built to run on Philadelphia Trolley gauge and use the existing streetcar catenary wires. No one is going to support replacing the existing historic rolling stock with something different, so build new routes meant to work with newer rolling stock and run it on those routes but backward compatible with existing streetcar routes so they can use those lines where it makes sense. New Orleans Street Cars: I've added all existing street car routes and added the most likely street car extensions in a separate group. Let’s assume it’s more efficient because we get rid of redundant stops and excess street crossing, so existing routes can compete with the modern rolling stock. (Lol I know) Regional Commuter Rails: I extended the regional commuter rail along existing rail routes, assuming upgraded at-grade tracks running something like the Siemens Charged with Venture Trainsets (Think Brightline but operated by Amtrak with a cool Lousisana-themed livery). Todo: Nola ⇔ Mobile Amtrak Route High Speed Rails Assume most of the new high-speed Routes are built on elevated Viaducts when passing through cities. I have tried to find alignments that allow pass-through stations in major cities and for trains to maintain speeds. I try to keep stations close to existing train stations and keep trains passing through cities so you get off the train where you want to be. I assume an express train stops in Houston, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. Has an average track speed of 187 mph and can make the Houston to New Orleans trip in 1:52 hours. (can you imagine how absurdly popular that would be) Routing in Baton Rouge is a huge pain. I think the only realistic plan is to accept following the existing rail alignment, building a new station for elevated high-speed rail (commuter rails at grade) routing through or close to the refinery, and then making a fairly sharp slow speed curve on to an upgraded (or very likely an entirely new) Hwy 90 bridge. There are options if you don’t want to pass through downtown, but that would mean a Baton Rouge Station far away from anything you want to go to. Approaching from the west and passing through downtown is even more absurd. I am assuming that small cities between Laffeyette and Lake Charles will not support the building of 4 track pass-through stations in the middle of their communities so the HS alignment goes back to I-10 after passing through Laffyette. Stations Todo: Extend to Atlanta