After hearing there could potentially be $8 billion available for new high-speed rail projects, we assumed any state would be jumping through whatever hoops necessary to procure those funds.

Alabama appears reluctant to step up to the task.

The Birmingham News’ John Archibald said Alabama’s share of the high-speed rail money would only be around $200,000.

Why so little?

Because this state has continually dragged its feet when it comes to allocating funds for improving and restructuring our state’s rail systems.

Any additional funding to help maintain and improve our state’s rail systems has been pushed aside, and the state only paid its dues to the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission last year.

Any student of Alabama’s history can tell you the importance of the railroad in the development of this state.

With the rail lines came towns and jobs, and a spirit of opportunity to travel further and move onward, pushing America to become the great nation it is today.

The bold spirit of manifest destiny and promise the rails once held now grows dormant, a distant memory of an unfamiliar past.

Trains seem antiquated and out-of-place, a sad anachronism.

The railroad industry is still vitally important. In 2007, 37 percent of all goods shipped within this country were shipped by rail.

High-speed passenger trains may not sound like a great idea for a state like ours, but we do have to start somewhere.

Why can’t we envision a small network of commuter trains, shuttling Alabama’s citizenry from Mobile to Birmingham, with a stop in the central hub of Montgomery, of course. We accept the fact Montgomery would have to be a hub.

We’d also lobby for a train departing from Auburn, so students could find an easier way to travel home on weekends.

By at least making plans now, we set ourselves up to perhaps one day make them realities.

America and the railroad have a long, beautiful relationship.

Let’s embrace it, for our benefit.