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Amtrak America Railroad: A Comprehensive Guide to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation

Kenneth Parker

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Amtrak, America's Railroad: Transportation's Orphan and Its Struggle for Survival (Railroads Past and Present)

by Jeffrey T. Darbee

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	56376 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Amtrak is the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a government-owned corporation that provides intercity passenger rail service in the United States. Amtrak was created in 1971 to take over the passenger train operations of the bankrupt private railroads. Amtrak operates a network of over 21,000 miles of track, serving over 500 stations in 46 states. Amtrak's trains carry over 30 million passengers each year.

Amtrak America Railroad is the definitive guide to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. This comprehensive book provides a detailed overview of Amtrak's history, operations, and routes. With stunning photography and detailed maps, Amtrak America Railroad is a must-have for rail enthusiasts and anyone interested in the history of transportation in America.

History of Amtrak

The history of Amtrak begins in the early 19th century, with the construction of the first railroads in the United States. By the mid-19th century, railroads were the primary mode of transportation in the country. However, the rise of the automobile in the early 20th century led to a decline in passenger rail travel. By the 1960s, many private railroads were struggling to compete with airlines and highways. In 1970, Congress passed the Rail Passenger Service Act, which created Amtrak and gave it the responsibility of operating intercity passenger rail service in the United States.

Amtrak began operations in 1971 with a fleet of aging trains and a limited network of routes. However, Amtrak has gradually expanded its operations over the years. In 1991, Amtrak launched the Acela Express, a high-speed rail service between Boston and Washington, D.C. In 2000, Amtrak began operating the California Zephyr, a long-distance train service between Chicago and San Francisco. Today, Amtrak operates a network of over 21,000 miles of track, serving over 500 stations in 46 states. Amtrak's trains carry over 30 million passengers each year.

Operations of Amtrak

Amtrak operates a variety of train services, including:

Intercity trains: These trains connect major cities and typically make stops along the way.
Regional trains: These trains connect smaller cities and towns within a region.
Long-distance trains: These trains travel long distances, often overnight.
Commuter trains: These trains connect suburbs to major cities.

Amtrak also operates a number of special services, such as the Auto Train, which transports passengers and their vehicles between Virginia and Florida.

Routes of Amtrak

Amtrak operates a network of over 21,000 miles of track, serving over 500 stations in 46 states. Amtrak's routes are divided into four regions:

Northeast Corridor: This region includes the major cities of Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. The Northeast Corridor is Amtrak's busiest region, with over 10 million passengers each year.
Midwest Region: This region includes the major cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha. The Midwest Region is Amtrak's second-busiest region, with over 5 million passengers each year.
Western Region: This region includes the major cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland. The Western Region is Amtrak's third-busiest region, with over 4 million passengers each year.
Southern Region: This region includes the major cities of New Orleans, Atlanta, Miami, and Charlotte. The Southern Region is Amtrak's fourth-busiest region, with over 3 million passengers each year.

Amtrak America Railroad is the definitive guide to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. This comprehensive book provides a detailed overview of Amtrak's history, operations, and routes. With

Amtrak, America's Railroad: Transportation's Orphan and Its Struggle for Survival (Railroads Past and Present)

by Jeffrey T. Darbee

4.4 out of 5