Amtrak Adds Thanksgiving Trains, Eyes Record
Amtrak is adding extra Northeast Regional cars and round trips for the Thanksgiving holiday, expecting another ridership record.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Travel — General
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Select Northeast Regional trains will run with additional cars from November 20 to 30, 2026, and two more round trips between Washington Union Station and New York Penn Station will operate on November 24-25 and November 28-29. Amtrak forecasts Thanksgiving 2026 travel will set a new record, with reservations available on Amtrak.com, in the Amtrak app, at station kiosks, at staffed ticket offices, and by phone at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Why it matters
Amtrak says Thanksgiving tickets are selling quickly, so added capacity on the busiest Northeast Corridor routes gives travelers more seats during the peak holiday window. The expansion follows a 2025 Thanksgiving holiday that set a ridership record for the railroad.
Last year's Thanksgiving holiday drew over 1.2 million Amtrak trips, up nearly 6% from 2024 and a ridership record. Amtrak has not disclosed how many added seats the extra cars and round trips will provide.
The players
Amtrak
Amtrak is the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, the federally chartered company that operates intercity passenger rail service across the United States.
The details
Select Northeast Regional trains will carry additional cars from November 20 to 30, and two extra Washington–New York round trips will run on November 24-25 and November 28-29. Amtrak also reports 15 NextGen Acela trains now carrying passengers.
Timeline
November 20-30, 2026: Select Northeast Regional trains run with additional cars.
November 24-25, 2026: Added Washington–New York Northeast Regional round trips operate.
November 28-29, 2026: Added Washington–New York Northeast Regional round trips operate.
Travel Outlook
Amtrak's 2026 Thanksgiving expansion extends its 2025 holiday ridership record, which drew over 1.2 million trips and grew nearly 6% from 2024. Amtrak's fiscal 2026 ridership reached 30.6 million through July, up 7.2% year over year, while capacity grew only 1.5%.
Travelers planning Thanksgiving trips on the Northeast Corridor should book early, since Amtrak says tickets are selling quickly. Reservations can be made on Amtrak.com, in the Amtrak app, at station kiosks, at staffed ticket offices, or by phone at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
The takeaway
Book Thanksgiving Amtrak tickets early on the Northeast Corridor, where demand is already selling quickly. Check the added November 20-30 train options before choosing a travel date.
What happens next
Portal North Bridge cutover is scheduled to finish November 14, 2026, and NJ Transit's regular schedule is set to resume November 15, 2026, subject to safety testing.
Further reading
For more on holiday rail options, see Travel — General coverage across the country.
More information
Book Thanksgiving tickets directly through Amtrak reservations and ticket booking.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Railway Supply.
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