Are there any passenger trains in the US besides Amtrak?

The sole long-distance intercity passenger railroad in the continental U.S. is Amtrak, and multiple current commuter rail systems provide regional intercity services such as New York-New Haven, and Stockton-San Jose. In Alaska, intercity service is provided by Alaska Railroad instead of Amtrak.



Yes, there are several passenger train services in the US besides Amtrak. They fall into a few distinct categories:

1. State-Supported and Regional Railroads (Often Partnered with Amtrak)

These are routes funded by state or regional authorities. Amtrak typically operates the trains and staffs them, but the service exists because of local investment. They are branded as Amtrak but are distinct from its national network. Examples: California’s Capitol Corridor (San Jose-Sacramento-Auburn), Pacific Surfliner (San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo), and San Joaquins (Oakland/Bay Area-Sacramento-Bakersfield). Others include Amtrak Cascades (Oregon-Washington-British Columbia), Empire Service (New York City-Albany-Buffalo-Niagara), Hiawatha Service (Chicago-Milwaukee), and Downeaster (Boston-Portland, ME).

2. Commuter Rail Systems

These are suburban rail services focused on getting people in and out of major metropolitan areas during peak commute times. They are completely separate from Amtrak. Major Examples: Metra (Chicago and northeastern Illinois) Metro-North Railroad (New York City to Upstate NY and Connecticut) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) (New York City to Long Island) NJ Transit Rail Operations (New Jersey and into New York/Pennsylvania) SEPTA Regional Rail (Philadelphia and surrounding

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Amtrak's competitors and similar companies include Genesee & Wyoming, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National Railway, Kansas City Southern, BNSF Railway, Arriva and Valley Transportation Authority. Amtrak is a provider of intercity passenger rail services.

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1. Amtrak Acela Express. the fastest rail system in the United States is the Amtrak Acela Express along the Northeast Corridor (NEC), with speeds of up to 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) in certain sections.

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Travelling by train in the USA is an excellent way to see vast swathes of this vast country, especially if you're on a budget. While the USA's national rail operator Amtrak won't get you everywhere, it's pretty darn extensive, with thirty routes throughout travelling to over 500 destinations across 46 states.

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There are many reasons for this. There is limited service between cities (Amtrak says it runs 300 trains with about 87,000 passengers per day), freight is often prioritized over passenger service in the U.S., and trains and facilities are often outdated.

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More comprehensive answer: Geography, population, pre-existing infrastructure, and rail ownership are the major reasons. Climate and history matter, too. Let's compare the US to the two major high-speed rail countries (Japan and France).

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The infrastructure that was transferred to Amtrak's management was also aging rapidly and required repairs. However, perhaps the biggest issue of all was that under the Rail Passenger Service Act, Amtrak did not gain ownership of the majority of the railroad tracks that their trains ran on.

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Amtrak trains stop in almost all U.S. states. The exception is South Dakota, Wyoming, Hawaii and Alaska.

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While not nearly as expensive, taking an Amtrak train across the US is also largely the domain of rail enthusiasts as it takes multiple days and costs significantly more than flying. In countries like Japan, South Korea and much of Europe, the opposite is true as the train is simply a way to travel larger distances.

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Acela trains are the fastest in the Americas, reaching 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) (qualifying as high-speed rail), but only over 49.9 miles (80.3 km) of the 457-mile (735 km) route. Washington, D.C.

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Acela trains are the fastest in the Americas, reaching 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) (qualifying as high-speed rail), but only over 49.9 miles (80.3 km) of the 457-mile (735 km) route. Washington, D.C.

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Longer Trip Times It's typically faster to travel by plane than by train, especially when your destination is across the country. A three-hour flight might be two nights on a train.

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American railways were also built on a wider gauge (the distance between the rails), which allows for larger and heavier trains. As a result, American freight railways are much more efficient than their European counterparts, carrying almost three times as much cargo per mile of track.

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Property rights. One of the most expensive parts of building new rail lines these days is securing land along a relatively straight path (you can't run trains at high speeds along too sharp a curve). The U.S. has strong property rights which makes securing land exceedingly expensive.

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2. Comfort: Train travel tends to be more comfortable than air travel, with more legroom, spacious seating, and the ability to move around freely during the journey. Trains also have larger windows, allowing passengers to enjoy scenic views during the trip.

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Our advice, don't be a loud talker. By all means chat it up (not if you're in the quiet car… obvi), just do so quietly.

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Amtrak collisions and passenger deaths are rare – despite high-profile crashes in the last year, according to industry statistics and experts. Trains remain safer for passengers than cars or buses, and nearly as safe as airliners, federal statistics show.

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Yes, the trains from New York City to Orlando offered by Amtrak are overnight train routes. Both the Silver Meteor and Silver Star routes are over 21h long. These trains operate daily from New York to Miami.

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It is trespassing and illegal, and you will be subject to arrest if caught. Due to vandalism and theft from shipments, railroad security is more observant than ever. Not to mention increased post-9/11 surveillance… Try Amtrak if you want to ride a train….

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