Amtrak operates on tracks that it leases just for its scheduled times from the rail roads. This helps it keep its costs in check. The construction and maintenance of a high speed train service could never be economically justified as passenger services tend to be a money loser. Believe it or not, it is cheaper to fly.

The US rail system is antiquated. You need rails that won't bounce high speed trains right off the railbed. And no, trains have not been economically practical for at least the last 50 years. The real answer to high priced gasoline is an alternative like ethanol or biodiesel. Something that the oil companies can't control. The only reason gas is this high is that the US refining capacity has not changed in 30 years. Thank you envirowackos. Now Big Oil knows just how much power they truly wield. And that won't change until individuals take matters [and private stills] into their own hands.

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Father was the Only Fully Certified Federal Inspector in All Aspects of Railroading!!! Cars, Bridges, Roadbeds.....& Locomotion!!! He was contacted to fly back east from Tucson here to "Evaluate" an "Undisclosed Object". This ended up being a "Conventional Diesel Engine" normally found in a Locomotive. EXCEPT for the Fuel & Fuel System. These had been Modified to burn a "Slurry of Coal Dust (all Grades), Water & Lime Dust. He met with Engineers who explained what was going on, Machinists who "Modified" the parts & examined an engine set to run on a "Test Stand". The engine ran perfectly with NO Emissions (nothing Harmful as with Diesel) & a gain in BHP of just under 30%! He then operated it in a "Switching Yard" & "Over the Road" without Incident. All Lubrication was Synthetic for motor & Locomotive bringing Overall Efficiency Up 37%!!! Why don't we see them on the "Road"??? It was "Sold & Shelved" to "Keep an even Playing Field" with Trucking is what I last heard??? Sounds funny to me as their Trucks could also use this??? Lord knows a Train can pull a Dozen "Convoys" & should be used for National Trips & Trucks used Locally!!! Go Figure!!! John

I wouldn't use them. Why? Well, because I just ain't in that much of a hurry to get there -- wherever that may be.

Yes, we need a railsystem for passengers similiar to Europe. If we had that I would sell my car and take the train.