This is true, but also applies to high speed rail. There are tremendous space requirements applicable to HSR that don't apply to regular rail. Look at HSR devel

This is true, but also applies to high speed rail. There are tremendous space requirements applicable to HSR that don't apply to regular rail. Look at HSR developments in China, Taiwan, etc, most of which have stations located well outside densely populated areas (except at points of extreme political/economic importance). Getting to a HSR station will be non-trivial also, not unlike getting to an airport today. HSR directly into a place like Midtown Manhattan is unlikely.