Definitely a modest proposal by any means, basically a subsidy for rail and a tax on domestic air travel. Probably should be done but nothing radical (but maybe what we need is less radical and more commonsense solutions). When I lived in Berlin I definitely always tried to catch the train to Munich and elsewhere, so much easier than going through security, getting to the airport, etc. I do wonder if they jacked up the tax on flights though if the subsidy to rail would actually be necessary to spur demand or if it would happen anyways.
LOL at wishful thinking, and beware unintended consequences. Making something artificially expensive does not make it obsolete. When trains can go 500mph in straight lines, maybe.