That is so odd… I’ve only ridden Amtrak a few times, but I was amazed at how many stops were just some small town that happened to lie on the rail line.
Most small towns that lie on a major highway and are supported by commuter traffic are only going to support a truck stop and a few fast food restaurants at best. Sure, a true high speed rail line would likely only stop in larger metropolitan areas, so those meager income sources may dwindle. But on the other hand if I were a rail commuter in one of those rural/suburban areas, I’d be much more likely to spend some time doing a bit of shopping or lingering in a restaurant during that transition from the train to my car after work, than if I were just passing through in my car.
People act like this is some kind of mysterious system, when it all boils down to one simple thing: If you want people to give you favorable terms when asking to borrow their money, then establish a history of being a reliable money-borrower! It’s not rocket science!
Open a credit card or two. Make all your purchases on them (borrow money), and pay off the balance every month (pay back the money). You will never pay a penny in interest or fees, you will easily earn 1-2% cash back, and you have a small buffer in case of setbacks.
Being financially conservative–i.e., saving a lot and never borrowing/repaying money–may be a moral virtue, but it does nothing to establish you as someone who has a history of paying back borrowed money.