Michael Kimmelman, Editor-at-large at Headway, and Chris Holen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum, explore the decline of American passenger rail. They compare U.S. challenges with successful international systems, dissecting the historical rise and fall of railroads. The discussion highlights California's high-speed rail difficulties and envisions future connections between major cities. They also delve into freight rail's dominance, uncovering its environmental advantages and examining the crucial need for improved passenger infrastructure in the U.S.