> Brown is merely building another Amtrak

And what, pray tell, is wrong with that in terms of serving a transportation need? Especially if that need is served faster and more frequently than can be done using conventional diesels mixed with freight? Conventional Amtrak is approaching the limits of a conventional approach, but the intermediate travel needs still are there. So if only a couple of super-expresses can challenge the 2.5 hour schedule bogey, with other runs in the 3-4 hour range depending on stops, is that enough? I think it is.

Musk's schemes just might require rewriting a few laws of physics and biology to make it survivable if not comfortable. I'm sure he can do that with his money.