The Great Seven

U.S. freight railroads are almost entirely privately owned and, unlike trucks and river barges, operate on the infrastructure they own, build, maintain and pay for themselves.

Boarding the train

Tickets usually do not specify a coach or seat number, just that you have a seat on the reserved bus. Pay special attention to the announcements and station attendants who will tell you where to wait and board the train.

Travel planning

Chicago is Amtrak’s main hub for long-distance trains, so those who want to cross the country from the East Coast to the West Coast by train will most likely have to take a train to Chicago.