Amtrak National Rail Service, a Way to Travel
Anthony Hernandez
Mission Specialist I Volunteer at Scobee Education Center (NASA-STEM)
Amtrak was formed as a national passenger railway service in 1971 as a public rail corporation. It is subsidized by state and federal funding as a for-profit organization. Amtrak started as a one-passenger rail service with 20 ailing passenger trains across the United States. At the beginning of Amtrak, that expanded to cover over 21,000 miles on 33 routes. The Idea of Amtrak was born when Russia had Moscow’s Red Square annual parade on May Day in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Congress Introduced a bill to form Amtrak Passenger Rail Service, with corporate authority and subsidies to fund the management and operation of Amtrak. President Richard Nixon signed the Rail Passenger Service Act (RPSA, on October 30, 1970). Amtrak operates intercity passenger services on the East Coast. In the 1970s and today, Amtrak operated intercity passenger trains and auto trains, where people live in Georgia or Florida, and they store their cars aboard the train and ride as presenters. Once the passenger board the train, like in Atlanta or Washington D.C., Passengers are helped by Amtrak employees, where passengers can drive off to their work site.
As a passenger on the Sunset Limited, I find it the longest train operated by Amtrak. The line going West to California starts in the City of New Orleans and ends in the City of Los Angeles, a route that is 1,995 miles. Central train station stops are in San Antonio, El Paso, and Tucson. Minor stops in Del Rio, Alpine, Maricopa, and Yuma. Then Sunset Limited returns from Los Angeles to New Orleans for a 46-hour train ride.
The Sunset Limited is a beautiful train ride with a full-service diner car that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The observation car to see the stunning sites as the train runs across the Southwest United States. There is an area on a rail car that offers drinks and snacks. Some people and groups travel on trains, enthusiasts who ride the Amtrak routes.
The Texas Eagle Train runs from San Antonio to Chicago daily and returns from Chicago to San Antonio; it is a 32-hour and 25-minute train ride. Another train route is from Chicago to Los Angeles, with daily departures of 65 hours and 20 minutes. You can travel by coach or cabin for privacy and have your toilet, bed, and shower. Consider taking a joy ride on Amtrak, even if it is a short ride from San Antonio to Temple, Texas.