Transcontinental Chief Aims for 2026 Launch
High-Speed Rail Project Promises Coast-to-Coast Connection
A ambitious private startup, AmeriStarRail, is moving forward with its “Transcontinental Chief” high-speed rail project, aiming to revolutionize cross-country travel. The initiative, a partnership with Amtrak, seeks to link major U.S. cities from New York to Los Angeles.
Operational by Mid-2026
According to reports, the Transcontinental Chief is slated to begin carrying passengers by May 10, 2026. This target date strategically places the service’s debut just before the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary and aligns with the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which Los Angeles will host several key matches.
AmeriStarRail plans for the Transcontinental Chief to utilize and upgrade existing routes currently served by Amtrak’s Southwest Chief and Pennsylvanian lines. These routes currently connect Southern California with New York, with intermediate stops in cities like Chicago and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Nationwide Network of Stops
Passengers embarking from the New York metropolitan area will board at Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey, easily accessible from Manhattan via PATH or ferry. The ultimate destination for this transcontinental journey will be the historic Union Station in Los Angeles.
The proposed route will feature eight primary stops, including the endpoints. Key cities along the path are expected to be New York, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Kansas City, and Albuquerque. When factoring in all intermediate stops, the service will traverse a total of 54 cities across the nation.
Beyond Passenger Travel
In addition to passenger services, AmeriStarRail envisions the Transcontinental Chief offering a unique solution for freight. The company aims to transport truck drivers and their tractor-trailers between the West and East coasts, completing the journey in approximately three days.
This innovative approach could significantly reduce transit times for commercial trucking. For perspective, in 2023, the average transit time for less-than-truckload (LTL) freight across the U.S. could range from 3 to 7 days depending on the origin and destination. The Transcontinental Chief aims to drastically improve this efficiency.
