We need new construction and expansion of the current rail system. We should have trains that run across the country, going through all major cities, and have stops at all national parks. We can keep the current rail, or remove it for more advanced high speed tracks. It should be relatively affordable for citizens and there should be a Rail Pass for people who want to take extended road trips and have the pass be for a month or more. This will allow many people, but especially the new generation to travel across the country in a safe, convenient, and hopefully affordable way. It is a great way to see our nations beauty without having to drive for long periods of time, which can dampen the experience and can put people off from doing more travel. We should also work with Canada and have one that makes its way all the way up to Alaska and visits some places in the state. This would create infrastructure jobs across the country, good for companies like Amtrak who can build the trains in a 21st century way, and we would need lots of steel. This is one area that Europe is leading us in that we should really step up our game. It is good for everyone, and if it’s accessible, it can be a game changer for long distance travel.
What you’re suggesting would never work. It would be the biggest boondoggle of all time.