Your challenge: Have the US establish a high-speed rail system, of at least regional (eg., Northeast Corridor) extent by 1985. Bonus points: Have it be multi region (eg., also including the Texas Triangle and/or California), have it be nationwide (links between at least several denser regional networks), and/or have it be the first in the world (eg., before Shinkanshen--say, 1950s).
Good luck!