A few maglev lines would soon sort out the travel times...they also need no driver so that would put the RMT out of the loop...they are also near impossible to de-rail making them much much safer for user and people near the lines...they are also green with no direct emissions....OK they cost a bit to build but considering the massive cost of the west coast 'upgrade' maybe not quite as much reltively as might be thought (also maintenance is substantially reduced).

And no I don't work making or promoting maglev trains