Agreed about the issues with Amtrak. But in most locations, your 'two things' requires a completely separate right-of-way for authentic high-speed rail. That is

Agreed about the issues with Amtrak. But in most locations, your 'two things' requires a completely separate right-of-way for authentic high-speed rail. That is exactly what happened with California HSR: Originally they planned to use freight rail corridors, but ended up with a plan which is only somewhat nearby existing rail.