It looks like the U.S. is well on its way to becoming a modern Western country after all. Congressional leaders are trying to find funding for high-speed passenger trains, one of which would take people from New York to D.C. in just two hours. Other big lines would take people from Seattle to Portland; all around the midwest with a hub in Chicago; about Florida; about California; and connecting cities in Texas.

The main problem would be, of course, finding the money to pay these new trains. Only a few million dollars have been set aside for such projects while it’d cost in the billions of dollars.

On the other hand, having reliable train transportation, especially in the northeast, would do a lot to alleviate air travel congestion.