Getting Up to Speed - High Speed Rail in California

For an excellent, detailed description of the high speed rail project in California, from the perspective of a New York Times writer, read:  Getting Up to Speed - High Speed Rail in California - NY Times Magazine.  Details high speed rail systems in other countries, the challenges California faces, and the implications for the rest of America.  

"... the train will go from L.A. to San Francisco in just under 2 hours 40 minutes and from L.A. to Sacramento in about 2 hours 17 minutes. Judging by the experiences of Japan and France, both of which have mature high-speed rail systems, it would end the expansion of regional airline traffic as in-state travelers increasingly ride the fast trains. And it would surely slow the growth of highway traffic. Other potential benefits are also intriguing: a probable economic windfall for several cities along the route, with rejuvenated neighborhoods and center cities; several hundred thousand jobs in construction, manufacturing, operations and maintenance; and the environmental benefits that come from vehicles far more efficient and far less polluting than jets, buses and cars."