Amtrak Has Scaled Back Private Rail Car Access
The national rail operator has reduced service locations as private car counts have plummeted over the last decade.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in National Parks
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Amtrak has curtailed access for private rail cars in six cities, continuing a trend that has seen the number of certified private carriages drop to 38 from 125 a decade ago. These historic train cars contributed $2.5 million to the operator's $3.9 billion revenue in fiscal year 2025.
Why it matters
Rising operational costs and complex logistical requirements have led Amtrak to tighten its policies regarding private cars, which require the disconnection of power and HVAC systems to hitch them to existing trains. These changes impact owners who operate the carriages to preserve historic travel experiences across the United States.
Private rail car owners paid $4.91 per mile for the first car in 2023, while these carriages traveled a total of 429,000 miles on Amtrak networks in fiscal year 2025. Annual maintenance costs for these historic vehicles can reach $60,000 for dome cars.
The players
Amtrak
The national passenger railroad service of the United States operates a network of intercity rail routes.
The details
Owners attach their private cars to existing Amtrak train sets to facilitate travel, a process that forces a temporary disconnection of the train's power and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for up to an hour. While service was reduced in six cities, Amtrak did add two new access points in California in 2026 to accommodate the small fleet of remaining cars.
Timeline
Amtrak began increasing rates for private rail car owners in 2019.
The cost for a first car reached a peak of $5.01 per mile in 2023.
Private rail cars traveled 429,000 miles during the 2025 fiscal year.
Amtrak ended private rail car service in six cities on June 1, 2026.
Travel Outlook
The decline in private car access follows the regulatory standards set by the 2019 Amtrak Inspector General report on private car operations. This shift reflects a broader transition toward prioritizing standardized operational efficiency over the legacy logistical demands of private carriage.
Travelers looking to book a private rail car experience should verify route availability well in advance, as Amtrak has recently consolidated its active service locations. Potential passengers should also be aware that charter rates for dome and sleeper cars can reach $16,000 per day.
The takeaway
The shrinking number of Amtrak-certified private cars suggests that these historic travel experiences are becoming increasingly rare and costly for hobbyists to maintain. Owners must balance high annual maintenance costs with a decreasing number of access points across the national rail network.
Further reading
For more on the logistics of train travel across the country, visit our National Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New York Times.
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