High Speed train development needs more than just new designs

If there is one thing that has helped railways re-invent themselves as a sexy futuristic travel mode it has to be the coming of the high-speed train.

Starting in Japan with the ShinKansen Bullet trains, and now a global phenomenon, just the initials ICE, TGV or HST seem to conjure a magical response amongst both users, and more importantly, political leaders. Everyone seems to want to have a cutting edge high-speed network with suitably stylish and iconic trains.

This year’s Innotrans...