I guess I am not so worried about high speed (over 200mph) trains, but rather a stable system of passenger rail routes in the midwest and east coast.

Japan is just about the same size as the eastern seaboard, from the top of Florida to mid New York. They have an exstensive rail system, with several high speed trains connecting major cities. Japan is a very mountainous country surrounded by volcanos, experiences regular earthquakes and typhoons, yet rail is exceedingly popular and safe way to travel by.

I don't see why it couldn't be translated here in eastern America. Obviously, we are no experts with rail, but doing the planning and bringing in experienced people will greatly help us achieve success.

I'm pretty stoked about all of this, if you can't tell!