Problem with European high-speed rails across continent are numerous. While EU has one the best and most sophisticated high-speed rails, its development is hindered by many problem:
- First of all, there are three main traction in EU. Germany has own traction, while countries east and west have different. While this is solved with current train engines, it is expensive and makes it much harder to implement across entire EU.
- Each country has different train regulations and most of the rails are in the state hands since the 19th century.
- Most of the countries thinks within its border, and transcontinental rail link is not effective. Rails are good within 500km, but on further distances, planes are cheaper and faster.
- Various interstate rail networks plans between Brest in France and Brest in Lithuania remain on paper; they will never be implemented across multiple countries.
- EU states are improving rails and they are much better than in USA, railways are indeed model of transportation for 19th century versus 21st century, where movement of people and goods in individualistic.
- Railway transportation was NEVER profitable. Never. Even in the 19th century, which was plagued by train boom and bust. For example widespread global crisis in 1873-1879 was tied into railway boom which never brought profit to the investors. From Germany to Italy to Hungary, there are hundreds of miles unfinished imperial railway lines from this specific bust. 140 years, and there are bridges, tunnels, and other structures that never saw single train! Similar bust happened in 1890's affecting local rails from USA to Europe. Chinese rails would face the same problems as did European and American ones 1.5 century ago.
