Another point not to be ignored in train politics and funding is the fact that Japan and Europe both fully admit and accept that their trains are government provided services for their populations and don't require them to be profitable since they are tax funded. Although Amtrak is federally regulated and owned it is expected to be self-funding and hopefully profitable - never has been and there have been frequent threats of bankruptcy and closure as a result. The japanese wouldn't consider allowing their rail system to go bankrupt nor would the Europeans.