as much as i love the f40ph... pity its full potential wasn't used very much.
i was learning what private rail companies did that was cheaper than conventional intercity rail, versatile like a streetcar, faster than driving or busses, could take people from neighborhood to neigborhood, and was perfect for the travel demand: interurbans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xh1KN_XMZY
this is a video on the north shore line between chicago and milwaukee, an interurban route. the vehicles were cleverly designed for high speeds between the cities and tight curves within them. honestly one of the best passenger rail types ever conceived, even if not capable of going between dc and new york.
this was something the united states of america pioneered to the same extent the japanese pioneered modern high-speed rail. nowadays, american city governments hardly know how to make a good streetcar network. most of the ones that exist today and are good existed back when they were operated outside of government means.
