RE: Amtrak's high-speed rail vision for 2040: New York to Washington in 96 minutes
1. We at one time had dedicated passenger rail service connecting most US cities. It mostly was scrapped in the 50s and 60s due to underutilization. I don't see it changing.
2. I do love the idea. Some major cities have in recent years reinstalled interurban commuter systems (Dallas comes to mind). They are expensive, but the bill has been mostly footed by the communities that would benefit. I have never seen one of their trains running empty. They are heavily utilized.
3. The amount of high paying union jobs that would be created and maintained during and after construction would be a huge boon to the local economies, especially if local contracts are bidded for the corridors (keeps the money local).
4. Good God... please don't let the govt run the project. They ruin enough already. Trust me, I work for them.
5. ALL your major railroads in the US were built by the companies that ran them. They had to come up with the money, not have it handed to them by the govt.
