New map of the proposed and funded to the tune of $8 billion thanks to the stimulus bill high speed railroad map. Unsurprisingly the West is mostly out of luck.
Yes, there’s nothing out there in the middle, but wouldn’t it be handy to have a way across it. Transcontinentally, if you will.
Not So Fast 
I’ve seen that map a few times. It still doesn’t make sense to me.
It follows the historical money. Money from meat processing and from Congress back in the day. Unfortunately for the West Coast, by the time they had money, tracks weren’t really being laid down anymore.
You can definitely tell where the politicians live. We rural folk don’t need to go anywhere. We need to stay home and produce their food, material good and their lumber.
I can’t believe, though, that they didn’t connect Pittsburgh-Cleveland (a short drive), which would enable a nice Chicago-Philadelphia route.
More believable, but still annoying, is the lack of a connection between Seattle and San Francisco. I fly that route a bit too often.
There should be a line connecting San Diego, LA, San Fransisco and Seattle.
Not that I particularly want them wasting money on trains anyway.