It's always funny when people criticize the state of American rail based on their preferences and hand wave a solution into existence, as if it's all that simple.

Cars are much more practical for travel in the US largely because the cost of fuel is much lower than in Europe, Canada, etc. Perhaps in Europe cars would be used more if they were a more affordable option.

Cars are heavily used in Europe, too. And so are flights. Trains are great for people from America on vacation because it's a novelty and most of destinations are near each other.

I loved riding trains in the EU but often would need to rent a car or fly.

There's so much wishing and hand waving based on ideology here that it honestly is annoying to read many articles.