>>1502404China can do it because of the nature of their government. Securing the right of way for new high speed track would test the limits of democracy and eminent domain. The pushback from private landowners would be strong, and you won't get the kind of speed and efficiency we expect from high speed rail (shinkansen/TGV speeds) without electrifying the line - which adds to the cost, and will make freight railroads resist it since the catenary interferes with the vertical clearance required for the distinctly American practice of double-stacking shipping containers in well cars.
that said I'd love to see American high speed rail. maybe just starting with expanding and improving the Amtrak routes that are already pretty good - pacific surfliner, northeast corridor, etc
