Your high speed rail argument is valid but it’s also a classic misdirection. I doubt you meant to say this, but it came across as “we can’t solve the hardest cases so no one should be trying to solve any of them - and everyone who wants them solved is clueless”. Saying things like that dooms big problems to stay unsolved forever.

Probably couldn’t get it done the exact way they do in Europe, but no need to give up before starting. LA to San Diego? Portland to Seattle? Or a slightly harder one, Chicago to Austin TX?