When an earthquake of a modest magnitude hit Shinkansen in 2004, something like this (PDF) happened. Miraculously, nobody died.
Let's forget Shinkansen. This was the latest model in 1906:
I will become a patissier, God willing.
On the other hand, it seems to me aerodynamic requirements (stay on the tracks with strong side winds, noise reduction) will ensure that many newer trains will be ugly - the Talgo350 and the Chinese model have the duckbill shape, too.
BTW, I can't see your model 1906 photo! *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
