“...with what we know, what can we conjecture?”
I conjecture that the guy who started the company decided a cash infusion was needed from an investor, or “horse”, an older term.
Because Branson has been assured Virgin will get the contract to convert Brightline existing lines to high-speed, and almost assuredly the contract offers him primary right-of-refusal to criss-cross Florida with existing public rail or demand in-kind build at a trillion-dollar cost to Florida taxpayers. IF he can elect a Democrat grifter in #2020.
I think a quality private train service could be successful in certain markets. Like an overnight between two cities 8-10 hours from each other. Include tablecloth dining, a good bed and a clean bathroom, and I think a subset of people will trade out TSA searches, airport traffic hassles and a $300 a night crappy hotel room for that.
Paging Willie Green: There may be an opening for a marketing director