Cross-Country in 72 Hours? The New Vision for U.S. Rail Travel

What Happened

A private rail company, AmeriStarRail, has proposed a bold new venture: a high-speed train that would carry passengers and their vehicles from New York City to Los Angeles in under three days.

Dubbed the ‘Transcontinental Chief,’ this ambitious project aims to launch by May 10, 2026. This is a date chosen to align with National Train Day, the United States’ 250th anniversary, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring international attention to the U.S.

Unlike other high-speed rail proposals that rely heavily on public funding and new infrastructure, the Transcontinental Chief would operate primarily on existing rail lines.
The company plans to partner with Amtrak, along with freight rail carriers like BNSF and Norfolk Southern, to run trains through key cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, Kansas City, and even tourist hotspots like the Grand Canyon.

One of the most attractive features is that the train would also carry vehicles. This service is inspired by European rail systems that cater to both people and their cars.

AmeriStarRail emphasizes that the project would be fully privately funded. It would require no taxpayer dollars or new federal legislation, just strategic cooperation with existing networks and a belief that long-distance rail travel can still be profitable.

Why It Matters

If successful, the Transcontinental Chief would mark a major shift in how Americans travel coast to coast. Right now, long-distance train travel in the U.S. is slow, outdated, and often less convenient than driving or flying.

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Amtrak’s current NYC-to-L.A. option — the Lake Shore Limited combined with the Southwest Chief — takes roughly 67 hours, and that's without any delays. The proposed train would cut that time significantly while offering a smoother, more modern experience.

This project also contrasts sharply with other stalled or over-budget rail initiatives. California’s high-speed rail line, for example, has spent over $4 billion since 2010 without completing a single mile of high-speed track.

By using existing infrastructure, AmeriStarRail sidesteps one of the biggest challenges of U.S. rail: the cost and time of building from scratch.

Politically, it could become a test case for what private enterprise can achieve without being slowed by bureaucracy. If AmeriStarRail succeeds, it may inspire others to reimagine and revive America’s underused rail system.

How It Affects Readers

For everyday travelers, the Transcontinental Chief could offer a middle ground between the stress of flying and the fatigue of driving. Travelers would be given the option of boarding a train in New York, catching up on work or sleep, and arriving in Los Angeles less than three days later with their vehicle in tow.

For commuters, families, digital nomads, and tourists, it unlocks a new way to cross the country. It could be cheaper, more scenic, and less stressful than other options. Of course, it all depends on whether Amtrak and freight carriers agree to partner with AmeriStarRail. As of now, Amtrak hasn’t publicly commented.

But the goal is clear: a sleek, fast, private rail line ready to launch for a major international moment.