High-Speed Rail: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?

In April 16, 2009, President Obama startled the passenger rail community by saying what no other president has: that high-speed rail (HSR) is an idea whose time has finally arrived in the United States. In his words,

"Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination. It is happening right now; it's been happening for decades. The problem is, it's been happening elsewhe