Sorry I've come into this late.

I'd like to draw your attention to the Japan Forum.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56146
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585059
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582218
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582223
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582503
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582635
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478389
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580312
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580725
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580679
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=542837
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581162
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=574710
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=578762
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282701
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577388
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=576674
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577315
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577182
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=425084
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=576183
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=574476
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=574913
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=574310
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=575048

These are all the threads that discuss 'train' in some way or another posted since 1st July.

I don't think it would do anybody any good to encourage these questions to go to a separate Rail forum.

I have answered some rail questions about Spain in the Eastern/Western European Forum. I thought the country/region forums were natural 'homes' for rail questions - especially as it is sometimes cheaper/faster/more convenient to use the bus or an airline instead, so often the rail questions 'mutate'. For example:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=516056
describes a journey that I recommend combining bus and train for.

7 AUG - EDIT TO ADD: just in case I didn't make it clear - I'm against the idea. It's only rail questions regarding North America that don't seem to have a natural 'home'. I don't drive and rely on public transport at home and abroad, yet I don't think a separate forum would serve many people's interests. Often, the people I would like help from aren't the ones who'd regard themselves as Rail Experts, just people with some knowledge of the area.