Huge fan of high speed rail and I've followed various projects for decades. However, I'm utterly cynical when it comes to the ability of the anglo-sphere to get

Huge fan of high speed rail and I've followed various projects for decades. However, I'm utterly cynical when it comes to the ability of the anglo-sphere to get these projects done. Strong property rights, NIMBYism, clunky bureaucracies, dependence on constantly shifting elected officials, environmentalists with niche concerns, etc. seem to make it impossible.