>>1497057>>barely electrifiedpretty much every American locomotive is electric, they just use an on board diesel engine to make the electricity that in turn moves the wheels.
but as far as stringing wires above the tracks, it works in small countries but it would be way to cost prohibitive to do it with the open space we have.
>>1497084don't underestimate the power of small regional carriers, who would be devastated by high speed rail.
a 2-3 hour train trip between neighboring cities would destroy the 0.5-1.5 hour flights that force you to dick around in the airport for an hour before boarding, free prostate exam at security, and 45min at either end waiting on the tarmac to takeoff or an open gate.
cross country rail like VIA's Canadian is really luxury travel rather than serious travel even though it does have some economy cars that took over from greyhound's disappearance. But with 3-4 days to cross the country, it will never be the choice for business travel, even high speed would probably only shave a day off that.
