RE: A ride on the fastest train in the world
WHY did it never reach it's top speed? Because it's a novelty. I'm not against these trains, but, just like everyone's been saying, their utility is limited unless over a long distance. So neither this train nor Acela reach their potential.
Top speed means nothing. Most cars and planes have a much higher top speed than they travel, but don't use that as marketing. What matters is how fast you WILL go.
Another problem with trains is that we live in a dynamic world, with changing priorities, demographic flows, and trends. Planes and automobiles live in this world because they are point-to-point--flexible. So it's easier for them to survive. Shipping and trains are much more restricted, and always will be. So even one that travels as fast as a plane will be much less valuable, though much more expensive in initial outlay.
