Thanks everyone for the great comments!

John - that road runner is bloody cool! I really think that's a great idea to revive people's love of trains - make them fun again! I purposely didn't mention railcars in this post, because they're a whole different kettle of fish - and it's just mean to compare American railcars to the TGV or the Shinkansen :) As was made clear by the mockery of Obama's proposals to fund high-speed rail, America as a nation is just not in that game.

Allister - that Raurimu spiral is just cool! I found this great video of it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKuHYeeVwLg&feature=related

It reminds me of the Tehachapi Loop in the states. I'll tell you something though - if I ever make it over to NZ, I'm taking the Overlander!

Bart.