[JohnBraden]

I despise the fact that in the US, passenger trains have to share the line with freight trains. There is no dedicated passenger rail lines because it would be too extensive and expensive. A trip from Chicago to Detroit took over seven hours because Amtrak didn't own the track it was using and Union Pacific would only maintain it for freight train speeds. What a joke! I could walk faster than the train was going in certain areas! I got really spoiled rotten in Japan with the cleanliness, the punctuality, the extensive network, the train cars themselves, etc.... The Chicago to Detroit trip would have taken about an hour and a half on the Shinkansen. Next time, I'll fly there!

The US rail system is too old and it needs a serious overhaul, but there is no money for it and with a country this big, flying is a cheaper and faster alternative in many, many cases.... Too many People own tracks and they don't play well together....