When it comes to train travel in the U.S., I often catch myself sounding like a child deprived of another kid's toys. "I want what they have." The 'what' is high speed rail; the 'they' is Asia and Europe.

Perhaps the tide is turning in a country that traded in the iron horse for a jet engine and interstate highway system. This week President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is awarding $8 billion to states across the country to develop America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service.

View a full list of the awards HERE.

The big stars of the funding include developing new, large-scale high-speed rail programs. Florida will receive up to $1.25 billion to develop a new high-speed rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando with trains running up to 168 miles per hour. California is receiving up to $2.25 billion for its planned project to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between with trains running up to 220 miles per hour.

I just hope some of the projects will be completed before I qualify for Amtrak's senior discount.