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Monorail tracks are prefabricated and can be erected relatively quickly: Simply dig a hole every 120 feet or so, plop down a column, and lift the track into place. Because the systems operate above traffic, collisions with errant motorists are never an issue. The trains are automated, saving millions in labor costs in the long run.

Monorails have their own fan club, which claims more than 2,500 members who swap monorail toys and trinkets. Modern light rail can claim no such devoted fan base.

I think one reason, obviously, that I spend so much time in one place is that I've been lucky enough to travel a lot, and now there are other different, invisible trains that are more interesting to me.

There are so many different reasons as to why I love riding trains. But I think ultimately it's the romantic feeling of it. There's something about it that just transports me into old films.

Rail travel for me is the most relaxing, most scenic way to see the country.

People have to make journeys, what we want is people to have alternatives in public transport so that they can make a choice about the sort of way in which they're going to travel.

Passengers want options, and when they have options, like passenger rail, they choose them.

Some people don't like long bus rides, but I love them. There's sort of a sense of solitude.

Boston's freeway system is insane. It was clearly designed by a person who had spent his childhood crashing toy trains.

Whenever I go on a ride, I'm always thinking of what's wrong with the thing and how it can be improved.