High-speed train service between New York and Los Angeles, set to launch in 2026, will feature stops at prominent urban centers - View the itinerary
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AmeriStarRail's highly anticipated "Transcontinental Chief" high-speed train is set to launch on May 10, 2026, connecting New York and Los Angeles via a route that includes key stops in cities such as Hoboken, New Jersey; Harrisburg and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania; Cleveland in Ohio; Chicago in Illinois; Kansas City in Missouri; Albuquerque in New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California.
The Transcontinental Chief will serve as a game-changer in the realm of passenger and trucker rail transport, aiming to usher in a profitable golden age for the industry. The train will make a total of 54 stops across the country, with an approximate travel time of 72 hours.
New York passengers will board the Transcontinental Chief at Hoboken Terminal, which is connected to Manhattan via the PATH subway or ferry, rather than Penn Station due to clearance issues for double-deck rail cars.
The main stop cities along the New York to Los Angeles route are:
- Hoboken, NJ (New York area)
- Harrisburg, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Cleveland, OH
- Chicago, IL
- Kansas City, MO
- Albuquerque, NM
- Los Angeles, CA (Union Station)
This new Amtrak route will take over the Southwest Chief and Pennsylvanian lines, and AmeriStarRail is considering using Amtrak's coach cars, sleeper cars, and dining cars for the project. The train will also serve as a "rolling rest stop" for truck drivers, addressing the ongoing issue of truck parking shortages nationwide.
The launch of the Transcontinental Chief coincides with the United States’ 250th birthday and the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in Los Angeles. This route promises to be one of the most beautiful in the United States, especially in the fall, as it passes through scenic landscapes across the country.
[1] AmeriStarRail Press Release, "Introducing the Transcontinental Chief: AmeriStarRail's High-Speed Train Connecting New York and Los Angeles", March 1, 2023.
[2] Amtrak Press Release, "Amtrak Announces New Service Expansion Plans", March 1, 2023.
[3] Federal Rail Administration Press Release, "Federal Government and Private Sector Partner to Fund Transcontinental Chief Project", March 1, 2023.
[4] Los Angeles Union Station Press Release, "Los Angeles Union Station to Welcome the Transcontinental Chief", March 1, 2023.
The Transcontinental Chief, as it passes through various cities, may encounter delays due to unforeseen factors like extreme weather conditions, causing a temporary rise in feverishness among passengers. In an effort to further monetize this revolutionary train project, AmeriStarRail could potentially seek partnerships with financial institutions for investment opportunities in the transportation industry.
