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PBS has a special on tonight about how a superior rail infrastructure can leave cities head and shoulders above their competition, as well as the converse–how a failing rail system will doom a metro area.

The special is called Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City and it compares the thriving high-speed rail system in Spain to the sagging setup in Motown. When the car took off in Detroit, the train died a quick death. Some people want to bring it back to life.

Here’s a preview of the special. Tumbleweeds through downtown Detroit–wow.

Here’s the NY Times review.

[image: NY Times]