This. American freight rail is the marvel of the developed world and the envy of Europe: one of the reasons that recent(ish) government proposals for high-speed

This. American freight rail is the marvel of the developed world and the envy of Europe: one of the reasons that recent(ish) government proposals for high-speed passenger rail were dangerous. Ask the Brits: http://www.economist.com/node/16636101 http://www.economist.com/node/16636101 You just don't get to see freight rail in action much unless you're a good bit more blue-collar than the typical HN crowd.