When the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the first railroad in the United States, opened in 1827, and the Stourbridge Lion steam locomotive, the first locomotive, first rolled down the tracks in 1829, it signified a new era for the United States. By the time the golden spike was driven into Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869, connecting the East Coast to the West for the first time in history, the train had already contributed to rapid growth and a blooming domestic economy. The railroad was the lifeblood of industrial expansion, supporting commerce, migration, and the exchange of goods and ideas across vast distances.
The United States has lost its way. The train still thrives in countries like China, Japan, and across the European Union, while in the United States, it seems relegated to the past. With the future of sustainable travel looming large, rail travel in the United States is in danger of fading into history rather than evolving into the next transportation revolution.
On the Train: More Than Just a Nostalgic Experience
Scenery flashes past the windows. We sway ever so slightly in the gangways as the train rocks side to side. The dining car fills with the aroma of sandwiches and freshly brewed coffee as passengers read or talk or gaze absently out the windows. Another train passes so closely that you can see the faces of the passengers inside, lost in thought, relaxed, and comfortable. This feeling of serene travel is still very much alive in many places around the world. But is this all the train can offer?
To understand the future of American rail, we must first acknowledge its cultural significance. The train has been romanticized in literature and film for years. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke passing through Austria in Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise. Or the evocative imagery in Philip Larkin’s poem Like the Trains Beat, capturing the deep longing and introspection associated with train travel.
The train in the United States is treated now as a relic of the past. The train is more than just a nostalgic, romantic way to travel – though those sentiments certainly help keep Amtrak afloat. Trains are an increasingly essential solution to modern travel dilemmas, particularly as road infrastructure begins to falter and air travel becomes less viable due to overcrowding, delays, and environmental concerns.
The train is still moving toward the future in countries like China, Japan, and throughout the European Union. It remains one of the cleanest, most efficient, and arguably most dignified ways to travel between cities and states. With high-speed rail networks now commonplace in much of the world, it’s clear that rail travel continues to evolve.
Cleaner and More Efficient Than Ever
Trains are inherently cleaner and more efficient than cars or airplanes. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Energy, rail travel uses about a third of the energy per passenger mile compared to planes and cars. Additionally, high-speed trains emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases than their air and automobile counterparts, making them an ideal mode of transport in an increasingly eco-conscious world.
In China, trains now regularly hit speeds exceeding 300 mph. In Japan, the Shinkansen – also known as the “bullet train” – has been a hallmark of cutting-edge rail technology since its debut in 1964, and now offers speeds close to 200 mph. In Europe, countries like France, Germany, and Spain have developed extensive high-speed networks.
Unfortunately, Amtrak, the United States’ primary passenger rail service, tops out at 150 mph. The majority of its trains are far slower, averaging around 100 mph. Imagine the convenience of having a state-of-the-art rail network that could get you from New York to Boston in under two hours, or from the Twin Cities to Chicago in under three. With modern rail technology, it would be possible to travel comfortably without the need for invasive airport security measures or cramped airplane cabins.
Amtrak’s Struggles: Funding, Safety, and Infrastructure
Despite the potential benefits of rail travel, Amtrak has faced significant challenges in recent years. The biggest issue has been a lack of adequate funding. Since its creation in 1971, Amtrak has only received around $70 billion in federal funding. In contrast, the U.S. highway system has received more than $65 billion since 2008 alone. This disparity makes it difficult for Amtrak to maintain its existing services, let alone expand them to meet rising demand.
One of the critical hurdles that Amtrak faces is complying with safety requirements, including the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology. PTC is a sophisticated system designed to prevent train accidents by providing real-time data on location, speed, and direction. It can prevent collisions, derailments, and other accidents. Without sufficient congressional funding, however, the installation of this system remains a slow and costly process.
Moreover, Amtrak’s reliance on tracks owned by private freight companies compounds its struggles. Amtrak owns only 28% of the rail tracks it operates on, meaning it often has to defer to freight trains, which causes delays and affects its on-time performance. This lack of control over scheduling and infrastructure makes it difficult to provide reliable, efficient service.
Momentum for U.S. Rail
Despite these obstacles, there is reason to be optimistic. Amtrak ridership has been steadily increasing, with ticket sales reaching the highest point in the company’s 40+ year history. In fact, in recent years, Amtrak has covered 93% of its operating costs through ticket sales alone. This growth in ridership reflects a renewed interest in rail as a viable and attractive form of travel in the U.S.
Additionally, several major cities and regions are exploring new rail projects. The Star Tribune’s 2016 article “Twin Cities passenger rail climbs back on track” highlighted efforts in Minnesota to expand passenger rail service. Local government agencies, such as the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, are pushing for more funding to develop new routes. With increasing public support for passenger rail, and renewed political will at the state and federal levels, the future of American rail is looking up.
The U.S. is still lagging behind when it comes to rail infrastructure, but there is potential for a renaissance. A report from the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) reveals that the public strongly supports the development of high-speed rail, with more than 80% of Americans in favor of new and expanded rail networks. If the U.S. government were to invest in rail infrastructure to the same extent that it supports highways, we could see the creation of a modern, high-speed rail network that connects urban centers and facilitates seamless travel.
The demand is there. As climate change concerns grow, as air travel becomes more congested, and as the limitations of our aging infrastructure become increasingly apparent, now is the time for rail revival.
If the momentum continues, and if federal and state investments follow suit, the U.S. might once again embrace trains as a primary mode of transportation, not just for nostalgia’s sake, but for a cleaner, faster, and more sustainable future.