Sure, there are some NightJet services by OBB that cover routes like Amsterdam - Vienna. But, that's far too few and mostly covers Vienna to X. But, my hope is

Sure, there are some NightJet services by OBB that cover routes like Amsterdam - Vienna. But, that's far too few and mostly covers Vienna to X. But, my hope is that EU leaders would take pride in connecting all major cities to the EU fast rail "grid" so that you can travel from anywhere to anywhere without changing connections just like cheap flights these days. Amsterdam - Innsbruck (for Ski trips) Amsterdam - Florence Amsterdam - Berlin Amsterdam - Barcelona Amsterdam - Copenhagen are all examples that could be direct trains that run frequently such that taking a flight for these should feel like a chore. Of course, I am listing all from Amsterdam because that's where I live. My point is a Rail grid network criss crossing Europe would be super beneficial to the society to remove many cars from the road and many planes from the sky. Heck, these routes would bring added benefit of subsidising freight transport across these population centers. Yes, EUR/KM operation might come with its flaws. But, if that rail grid is treated as essential infrastructure, and business are allowed to run their train services not the grid competing with each other, it will be a revival of the golden era of trains, and public transport.