Long-distance Amtrak routes

Long Distance Service Line
The Capitol Limited arriving at Harpers Ferry en route from Washington, D.C., to Chicago
The Capitol Limited arriving at Harpers Ferry en route from Washington, D.C., to Chicago
Overview
LocaleContiguous United States
Transit typeInter-city rail
Number of lines15
Annual ridership3,944,124[1]
WebsiteLong Distance Trains – Amtrak
Operation
Began operationMay 1, 1971
Operator(s)Amtrak
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Average speed48 mph (77 km/h) between stations[2]
Top speed125 mph (201 km/h) (NEC)
System map

The Long Distance Service Line is the division of Amtrak responsible for operating all intercity passenger train services in the United States longer than 750 miles (1,210 km). There are fourteen such routes as of 2024, serving over 300 stations in 39 states.[3]

Amtrak's long-distance routes form the backbone of the US national rail network, providing an alternative to intercity drives or flights. They are also noted for their scenery, and are popular as vacations and experiential travel.[4] A few routes provide direct service to National Parks,[note 1] with Amtrak Thruway buses reaching many more.[5]

The rider experience of Amtrak's long-distance trains is distinct from its Northeast Corridor and state-supported services. All trains except the Palmetto involve at least one night of travel, and so are outfitted with sleeping and dining cars.[3] Routes depart once daily in each direction, at most, so some stops are served only at night.[6] Delays are commonplace on long-distance trains, as the tracks are generally controlled by freight railroad companies.[7]

While anchored by major cities, long-distance trains also serve many rural communities en route (unlike commercial flights). A minority of passengers ride an entire route at once, with most traveling between a terminus and an intermediate stop.[8] In FY2023, Amtrak's long-distance trains carried 3,944,124 riders, around 14% of the company's total.[1] However, the routes account for about 42% of passenger miles traveled.[8]

  1. ^ a b "Amtrak FY23 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "FRA Long-Distance Service Study: 1 Regional Working Group Meeting 3" (PDF). fralongdistancerailstudy.org. Federal Railroad Administration. February 2024. p. 116. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "FY 2022-2027 Service and Asset Line Plans" (PDF). Amtrak. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  4. ^ Rajesh, Monisha (October 18, 2022). "6 Scenic Amtrak Routes to Book Just for the Views". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Vermillion, Stephanie (November 2, 2021). "How to Take a Train to All the Best National Parks". Outside Online. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Glaser, Susan (November 10, 2019). "Amtrak from Cleveland to Chicago: A relaxing ride despite middle-of-the-night departures, late trains". cleveland.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Freight Delays and Your Amtrak Service". www.amtrak.com. Amtrak. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Long Distance Trains: Multipurpose Mobility Machines" (PDF). www.railpassengers.org. Rail Passengers Association. Retrieved June 25, 2023.


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