[jonathanp88]

> The SNCF is a nationalized train system, and it arguably works well

It SO doesn't!. Apart from the flashy TGV Network, Frances Railways are a total mess. Try taking a Train in a rural area and you'll most likely find it's been replaced by a bus, or there's gaps of Hours between Services.

The French governement will soon, finally, Long after most of the rest of Europe, allow private companies to bid to provide the Government-subsidized local rail Services. The regional goverments who actually provide the subsidy are champing at the bit to be able to Dump SNCF, who can essentially Name their Price, with the regions then forced to give it them.

[gumby]

In the Anglo-Saxon countries abandoning those unprofitable routes would be considered a smart move; subsequent private players with public subsidies would angle to maximise those rents and lobby to keep competition out.