Yes we let it rot. But only because we didn't need it. And IMHO, still don't unless we are trying to keep up with the joneses. Even tho we arguably passed them by transportation wise decades ago.
From what I understand it won't be cheaper than flying nor quicker. (I sure can't argue with more comfortable tho!)
Remember, this is a young country. Way back when, rare was the person who traveled more than 100 feet from their house. :) When we started to build rail systems some fool came along and invented the car. Then we spent more on roads than rail. Then another idiot came along and invented the "aeroplane". We invested in airports.
So as far as hi speed rail... really depends on where it's set up and cost. A fun vacation? Sure. Unless you want to get there as fast as you can to enjoy your destination. For business... time is money.
There's at least one airport in virtually every major city and a pile of smaller airports in between them. Some smaller European countries may only have major airport one in the whole country. Rail works for them. And they're more used to mass transportation since they didn't have the luxury of auto's back when it all started.