Great train trips in the US: "City of New Orleans" as an inspirational song

The Shinkansen (bullet trains) in Japan are perhaps the most amazing rail system I have ever been on. It is no joke that they depart exactly on time, and they are extremely comfortable, regardless of which class you’re in. We’ve taken them for fun, and I’ve taken them for work. Hands down, either way, it’s totally fabulous and very fast (and not terribly expensive if I recall correctly.)

I don’t think we will ever get to that point here in the US.