Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
High Speed Rail

“Mad Men” Stars Have a New Product to Pitch: High-Speed Rail

Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell on the hit series "Mad Men", and Rich Sommer, who plays Harry Crane, have teamed up with U.S. PIRG to make a video about high-speed rail. In it, Campbell suggests an ad campaign for trains, which Crane finds ridiculous -- trains make so much sense; why would you need to sell them? It ends with a call to action.

U.S. PIRG developed the video with FunnyOrDie.com, where people can basically post anything they think is funny and viewers vote on whether or not it's funny enough. The high-speed rail video is "a way to reach new audiences and build excitement for high-speed rail projects around the country," according to Phineas Baxandall at U.S. PIRG.

Meanwhile, the Regional Plan Association yesterday released a less funny but still worthwhile video called "Why Build High-Speed Rail in the Northeast," making the argument that projected population growth makes rail investment an imperative.

Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell on the hit series "Mad Men", and Rich Sommer, who plays Harry Crane, have teamed up with U.S. PIRG to make a video about high-speed rail. In it, Campbell suggests an ad campaign for trains, which Crane finds ridiculous -- trains make so much sense; why would you need to sell them?

Why Build High-Speed Rail in the Northeast? from Regional Plan Association on Vimeo.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Drivers Beware: Automatic Bus Lane Parking Tickets Start Next Monday – Feb. 17

If you drive, don't risk a ticket - don't park in bus lanes or at bus stops.

February 11, 2025

SGV Connect 134: Mutual Aid in the Fallout of the Eaton Fire

With the blaze now contained, we check in with Pasadena-area journalists to discuss how grassroots organizing has transformed communities facing tragedy.

February 11, 2025

This Week In Livable Streets

Two key Measure HLA meetings on Wednesday, Councilmember Bubba Fish, South El Monte Bike Rodeo, Metro DTLA Construction and more

February 11, 2025
See all posts