Mr synonymouse,

Given the very small niche market that is railroading - worldwide, and the universal fact of fragmented government control of virtually all of passenger railroading: There are hundreds of governments in the world and very few suppliers. But even so, no car builder is so dominant, as to be capable of dictating car designs.

The car builders could care less. The fact is they happily kiss each agency's butt for the custom orders - for the most obvious of reasons - Custom orders are more lucrative than off the shelf.

The only way your dream of a single car design that runs everywhere will come to pass is if all the gov't of the world unite into one gov't. -- FAT CHANCE.

One world gov't == one car design!
But if it ever did, we'll all be goose stepping to one drummer anyway!

BTW, the Nazis did make the trains run on time!