Reply #107: Acela not really hi-speed rail. Because of our infrastructure.

[Atman]

The northeast rail corridor runs through backyards, small towns, densely populated areas. As such, it was virtually impossible for Amtrack to gain the necessary easements and right of ways to build a true hi-speed rail system. One town would say yes, then the next town down the line would hold a referendum and vote no. So the Acela is more of a hybrid. Since it's forced to run on the existing traditional rails, it is severely limited in speed...tops out around 90mph. It achieves this on regular tracks through a pretty clever bit of engineering; the train actually tilts on its base as it rounds curves, otherwise the centrifugal force would cause people to slide out of their seats. It's cool, but it ain't no "hi-speed rail."