Sophisticated controls for efficiency and emissions
It's not all about speed, much of the innovation is trying to meet more stringent efficiency and emissions requirements with more and better sensors and software controls.
I honestly don't know how sophisticated this is compared to Japanese, European or Chinese trains, but it at least seems plausible that it is very valuable.
https://www.wired.com/2015/05/tech-makes-ges-new-locomotive-cleanest-ever/
Biting the hand that feeds IT
