“The last I heard” is one of those Mary Jane expressions much akin to “They say” So what is the source? A report? A friend? Rumor?
Reading many, many reports and references about the setup and development of high-speed rail in California, including ‘journalism’ from the trade press and other industry-related sources. If you question it, I’d be delighted to read engineering citations that cover the design of the equipment and catenary, and that the trackage will be properly built out double-track or better with full catenary for all tracks.
ONE citation for your remark about top speed is sufficient please.