SOME ECONOMIES OF VOLUME.  The Midwest High Speed Rail Association reports a Department of Transportation grant to buy locomotives and passenger cars for several state rail projects.  The state of Washington appears to be purchasing another Talgo train, not an incorrect choice for the twisty Puget Sound line.  Taken together, the proposals for the other states include 25 locomotives and 120 bi-level rail cars.  As California is one of the states participating in that order, perhaps we will see large volume production of the California cars, as serving the San Diego and Bay Area corridors.

Is it too much to ask for cafe cars configured like the Sightseer Lounges, and for a few cars with first-class seating?