Over on MSNBC there is an interesting article on the world's 7 fastest rail trips.  Tha language they use is certainly more abrupt than I would, for example:

"Although there are plenty of routes that have been identified as viable for high-speed rail such as Washington-New York-Boston, San Diego-Los Angeles-San Francisco, Dallas-Houston-Austin and Detroit-Chicago-St. Louis, short-term thinking and incompetence seem to rule the day here in the U.S."

However, it does give an interesting overview of some of the fastest trains in the world, including Eurostar from London to Paris, Milan to Florence in Italy, and Madrid to Barcelona on Renfe in Spain.  

As more routes are proven out and long term sustainable, I imagine we will continue to see more high speed rail routes developed across the globe.