I've taken the TGV from Zurich (?) to Paris. And, yes, there are some amazing tunnels that the Swiss have built. But, you're still not understanding the sheer scope. France is the size of Texas. Just Texas.

Japan? Again, tiny in comparison. And, with such a narrow island system, geography is far less of an issue.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Also Erik, the land issues involved. Many of the existing land corridors and such were established over 100 years ago when many areas were sparesly populated. Plus, there appears to often times be more working collectively between European governments than one American state government with its neighbors.

I fully understand the benefits of train travel. I have really enjoyed the handful of times I have been on a real train. But I still would love to fly. I love the view. Nothing beats it.

__________________
Abstinence Education at its finest:

Just you wait, if the infrastructure keeps changing at this rate then we can go from Stockholm to Marrakech in a day.

Or about 4 hours by plane.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

As long as there's fuel, at least...Also, modern trains and maglev technology will probably narrow the speed gap. A 600km/h speed for trains can probably be achieved in the not too distant future.

European governements working together? HAHA, tell that to the port of Antwerp. The bigger ships can't get there because the Dutch keep slowing the procedure to deepen the river, while the Belgian part is done. Also the direct train route to the Ruhr area through the Netherlands has been taken out of use because it runs through an area of natural beauty.

Or how about the Germans not equipping their part of the Rotterdam-Ruhr line to handle 2-layer container trains, effectively halving the capacity of the entire line? I bet that doesn't have anything to do with the ambition to make Hamburg the biggest port of Europe.

Perhaps.

Until those with bad intent start leaving rocks on the tracks. Maglev? Maybe. Not so good up/down inclines, IIRC.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

What inclines? Bulldoze the Rockies flat, I say.

I like my mountains. Of course, the Rockies are as wide as France, and stretch from Alaska to Antarctica with few breaks.

That's a lot of bulldozing.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Cute, just push whatever can fit of the rubble into the Grand Canyon.

Or on a personal note, just build a road to Ketchikan AK from Seattle. A gravel spit 8 lanes wide that skirts 100 yards outside the Canadian waters. Make it a hell of a lot nicer for road travel between AK and the lower 48.

__________________
Abstinence Education at its finest:

That'll be one huge "bridge to nowhere".

Nah. It will be a bridge to Bunz's cabin.

I was referring to the famous Gravina Island Bridge, which they call "the bridge to nowhere", a project costing hundreds of millions $$ which goes to an island with only 50 inhabitants.

Oh it wouldnt even get close to me. That is just to the first city on the inside passage. I am quite a bit closer to Russia than I am to Ketchikan.
About 1500 miles away.

I am am about equal distance from Sapporo Japan as I am from Seattle.

__________________
Abstinence Education at its finest:

Oh lets not get this started. Id like to know how it is considered nowhere when the 4th largest city in the state isnt road connected to its internation airport. Now JMC brings that up every time and it is just factually incorrect.
But that isnt far off target considering we are talking about the airline industry.

__________________
Abstinence Education at its finest: