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[quote user="passengerfan"] And I still maintain the fastest way to wake Americans up to trains is just put a HSR system in the median of the ISH system and watch how fast they will sit up and take notice especially when they are driving at 80 per with three kids fighting in the back seat and mother trying to explain it isnt that much further count cows or something. And a HSR train flashes past at 220 mph I think they will seriously consider this option the next time they visit the grandparents. If it isn't right under there nose HSR is never going to be noticed. This morning on one of the Sunday Morning Talk shows Californias Governor, New Yorks Mayor and I think it was Pennsylvania's Governor brought up the subject of HSR and all three agreed its time is now and to wait much longer would be a serious mistake. Al - in - Stockton   [/quote] Putting HSR or any rail in the medians of the Interstate Highway System would not work in many areas.  For example, in Austin the I-35 median is, well, there is no median from approximately 15 miles north of downtown to 10 or 15 miles south of the city, unless you consider a concrete barrier a median.  In fact, through the city the highway is double decked, primarily because the highway department could not find enough reasonably priced land for side by side construction.  There are many other stretches of I-35 with similar constraints. Interestingly, the UP line that carries the Texas Eagle runs down the median of the MoPac, which is a limited access highway on the west side of Austin.  If there is a derailment, it would likely have serious consequences for the passengers, and it could wipe out many cars. Traveling by train, or many forms of public transit, has it benefits.  One can kick back, enjoy a good book, drink a glass of wine, engage in conversation with fellow passengers, and watch the countryside roll by.  But there is another side of traveling in public transit (trains, planes, buses, etc.) that many enthusiasts overlook, e.g. sitting next to a guy who has not had a shower for a week, doesn't know enough to cover his mouth when he coughs, shouts into a cell phone, has had too much wine or beer, and lays off his nutty political views on you irrespective of whether you want to hear them. Or has his three kids along to drive you nuts.  This, by the way, is why I always opt for a compartment, except for short distances, in which case I go business class.  The other problem with commercial transport is getting around once you get there.  You have to rent a car or use public transport, which is less than satisfactory in most American cities, especially after hours and on the weekends.  The biggest advantage of taking the car, especially on trips of less than 500 miles, is you have wheels when you get to grandmother's house or the vacation lodge.  Moreover, for a family, the family buggy is the most economical way to go, even if gasoline hits $5 a gallon, which it will.
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