Source: Orlando Sentinel

Florida officials like their chances of winning billions of federal dollars for a high-speed train, but almost every contender from California to Georgia insists its rail pitch is the best.

Actually, the proposals are far from equal. Some applicants bring money, land or potential passengers. Others offer little more than what they think to be a great idea.

The Federal Railroad Administration is checking out the plans right now, sifting through 45 requests from 24 states seeking a total of $50 billion. An additional 214 applications from 34 states are asking for $7billion for planning and smaller projects.

The official word out of FRA offers little insight into what the agency really wants.

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