Express trains.
What you are describing are the old express trains that used to run non-stop between cities at close to 100 miles an hour.
The 1940s era steam train that ran the express run between Boston and NY did it in more than an hour less than Acela does on its best run today.
A comprehensive rail plan for the US would have subways or trolleys for local urban routes feeding and being fed by commuter rail (up to 60 mph) for runs out to 50 miles. Express trains (100 mph) on limited stop intercity routes up to 250 miles and HSR (over 125 mph) for non-stop intercity routes over 250 miles.
The California HSR plan, with stops every 20/30 miles, is a waste of the trains capabilities. There by, a huge waste of money.
