History never ends.
At any given time, the past is generally known, yet our commitment to preserve and interpret history must include a commitment to recognize what is contemporary today, as that will be the history of tomorrow. As this is written in mid 2001, there are exciting developments occurring in the field of American railroads. These and others yet unknown will play out as the years unfold. New, high speed technologies such as magnetic levitation to propel trains at very high speeds, and tilt technologies that allow passengers to remain comfortable at such speeds. Continued public debate over the role of government in subsidizing often-unprofitable long distance passenger travel.