RE: The economics and politics of supertrains
Europe is geographically a small group of countries. Each country was able to develop rail in the aftermath of World War II because everything in Europe was destroyed.There really wasn't any choice except to do what they could.
Road systems are usually based on old trails develop over generations. Europes roads are insanely narrow and go back to the Roman Empire. Much of Europe is mountianous as well, so to get more people across countries it made more sense to use trains.
Here in America we have the luxury of space. Our countries only contains a few major mountain ranges positioned in the outskirts of the continant. This allows highways system to be built larger and stretch across the continant.
Our lifestyle is also more dependent on the highway system rather than the rail system as the rail system demends tighter schedules and personal planning. We can come and go as we please with our cars rather than having to practice awareness of when the train leaves and arrange our schedule accordingly.
I personally would rather spend my money on a fuel-effienct car rather than re-arrange my life around mass-transit. I cannot trade-off my freedom of movement for a clock-work life.
Sorry. I'm just that selfish.
