Amtrak is a federally supported corporation that operates as the primary intercity passenger train service in the United States, known for its extensive network connecting major cities and regions across the country.
Last Updated: 25 seconds (41 Trains)Below is a map of trains in the Amtrak network and their current positions. Click the train icon for more information. Data is updated every minute.
Here's a list of all the currently active trains in the Amtrak network.
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Amtrak is a federally supported corporation and the primary provider of intercity passenger train services in the United States. Established in 1971, it was created as a quasi-public corporation to operate many U.S. passenger rail routes. Amtrak manages a vast network that includes over 500 stations along 21,400 miles of track. It directly owns approximately 623 miles of this track and operates an additional 132 miles, while the remaining mileage is over rail lines owned by other companies. Some sections of its tracks allow for high-speed travel, with trains running as fast as 150 mph. The corporation is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is known for combining state and federal subsidies with management as a for-profit organization.
The history of Amtrak begins with the decline of passenger rail travel in the United States in the face of competition from buses, air travel, and automobiles. By the mid-20th century, private rail companies, which had once thrived, were experiencing significant financial losses due to a decrease in passenger numbers and increasing operating costs. The situation worsened in the 1960s, leading to a drastic reduction in passenger service route-miles. In response to this crisis, Amtrak was founded in 1971 to take over the passenger services from these struggling private rail companies. The formation of Amtrak was a strategic move to revive passenger rail service in the country and to ensure its continued operation amidst changing transportation preferences and economic challenges.