Jay Honeck wrote:
Electric trains work in parts of Europe because a long haul there
is what would be called just down the road in the US and for local
transit such as the Bay Area Bart system.

Absent the invention of Mr. Fusion, there isn't going to be any
electric powered trains between LA and Omaha or even El Paso.

Diesel-electric locomotives are the norm in the US. Some of those
electric engines are decades old, and going strong. Not the same, I
know...but perhaps indicative of what electric technology *can* do.

Electric motor, Jay, motor! :-)

http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/engine.htm