Could an easy alternative to flying across the country be on the horizon? In an open letter sent directly to the president of Amtrak, Delaware-based AmeriStarRail has proposed a bold, transcontinental high-speed rail project that promises to whisk passengers from New York City to Los Angeles in under 72 hours. Dubbed the "Transcontinental Chief," the proposed service would run on existing rail infrastructure and would make stops in major destinations including Chicago, Kansas City and the Grand Canyon.
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Unlike pie-in-the-sky maglev fantasies, AmeriStarRail’s plan leans on practicality. The company aims to use current Amtrak assets—coaches, sleepers, dining cars—and partner with host railroads like BNSF, Norfolk Southern and New Jersey Transit. Passengers wouldn’t just get from coast to coast in comfort; they could also bring along their cars and even tractor-trailers.
The goal is to launch by May 2026, just in time for the FIFA World Cup and the country's 250th anniversary. That timeline is tight, especially considering the logistical tangles involved: track scheduling, rights-of-way, funding agreements and, not least, getting a green light from Amtrak. Amtrak hasn’t responded to the proposal yet, and history suggests they might not bite. The company has previously passed on similar pitches from AmeriStarRail.
Still, AmeriStarRail is pushing forward. COO Scott Spencer is calling it the beginning of a "new Golden Age" in American rail, offering a scenic, lower-carbon alternative to air travel.
Can they pull it off? The biggest question mark remains Amtrak’s cooperation. Without their participation, the plan is a no-go. But AmeriStarRail claims it has private capital lined up and has already briefed members of Congress.
Whether the Transcontinental Chief becomes reality or not, one thing’s clear: there’s growing momentum to rethink American rail. And with the spotlight soon to be on U.S. infrastructure during the World Cup and 250th anniversary, AmeriStarRail aims to make its mark.