Slower than a speeding bullet

Americas trains may soon go fasterrelativelyWERE going to lay some rail!, Rod Diridon shouted to a packed room in Chicago last month. What kind of rail? he asked. High-speed rail! the room roared back. Mr Diridon, chairman emeritus of the California High Speed Rail Authority, was addressing like-minded folk at the annual meeting of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association. The conference had attracted far more people than anticipated, lured, no doubt, by money. Barack Obamas stimulus contains $1.3 billion for Amtrak and $8 billion for high-speed and intercity rail projects. And support will be sustained with $5 billion in state grants over five years. France, Japan, Spain, Germany, all have trains that zoom through the countryside at speeds up to 217mph (350kph). America has one high-speed rail corridor, from Washington to Boston, on which trains average about 80mph. With new federal cash, rail enthusiasts hope to convert a car-loving country to their cause. High-speed rail holds vast promise, from easing congestion (and speeding the flow of goods and services) to reducing carbon emissions. By April 18th Ray LaHood, the secretary of transport, must present a strategic plan for how the money will be spent. Those hoping for a Shinkansen in their suburb, however, will be disappointed.