Abstract
A European network for high speed rail traffic calls for an optimum concept. Several international organisations as ECE, ECMT, UIC and CER made valuable proposals over the last ten years. However, the heavy investment requirements for a continental high speed rail network presuppose its utilisation far into the next century. To face the challenge of short-distance air travel commercial speed will become a crucial point for the railways. The parameters in Annex II of the European Agreement on Main International Railway Lines (AGC) should be reconsidered with a view to long distance rail travel in a zone of activity extending to the east of Central Europe.