So here is (link now dead–2010) an unfortunately not‐too‐detailed look at the technology behind the “high‐speed rail” being developed in Michigan and Illinois (former Amtrak president David Gunn, among others have argued that the 110mph trains should be called "higher‐speed" rather than diluting the term “high‐speed,” which in Europe only applies to trains traveling faster than 250kph, or about 155mph.)

Still, the system appears to be working on the test track in Michigan, which is impressive in itself, and it is cheap enough that it can be funded by states without a strong Federal commitment (which is not going to come in the near future). David Gunn has previously said that the way to rebuild the national railroad network is in small improvements in service and reliability: new sidings and flyovers, better signaling, new passenger carriages, and a better attitude from the freight railroads, rather than glitzy and expensive technological showcases like Acela. The excellent organization, Midwest High Speed Rail Association has a vision of what a Chicago‐centered 110mph "higher speed" rail network built on those principles would look like.