[LIBERTARIAN JOE]

There are areas where there are enough customers and dense enough populations that railroads continue to make technological sense.

Actually, almost every one of those areas are in the third-world, in places where there's no decent road network and very little private vehicle ownership.

Almost all of those passenger rail networks in europe and asia lose money & require subsidies from the taxpayer to remain in operation.

[muawiyah]

BTW, the problem in Europe isn't a lack of passengers or need ~ they simply don't charge full fares.

I've been to Europe and you'd better believe there are areas where you couldn't add another lane of road.

The third-world doesn't need rail ~ the level of commerce isn't sufficient to support shipping people around. What they need are trucks with large tires!

[Red Dog #1]

Shhh... Don't tell anyone, but the US already has the best rail system in the world. It's energy efficient, reduces road traffic, actually generates tax revenue and even earns respectable profit.

The only downside is that it doesn't serve very well as a national model railroad for power hungry politicians and illetectuals seeking an ego trip.