Train travel is nothing new in America, but when you think of going on a vacation, you probably think of hopping on a flight, or boarding a cruise ship. Rails have crisscrossed the United States for hundreds of years, and at one point, were a major method of travel. Today, Amtrak is the leader when it comes to passenger trains. Amtrak is also the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, and their trains are still a vital part of American transportation. Here are 4 things you probably didn’t know about Amtrak.

1. The government created Amtrak

Congress created Amtrak in 1970, to take over most of the intercity passenger rail services, which were all operated by private rail companies. These companies were failing, and operating at a big loss. Now, more than 20,000 people work for Amtrak, and in 2018, it was ranked as one of “America’s Best Employers” by Forbes magazine.

2. Hundreds of trains run every day

More than 300 Amtrak trains depart from the station every day, and an average of 87,000 people ride them. Each year, that equals more than 31.5 million Amtrak passengers, who are traveling through the country by train. The top five busiest stations are in New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles. At Amtrak’s busiest station, Penn Station in New York City, more than 10,000 people ride trains every year.

3. Amtrak covers thousands of miles

Amtrak trains can take you to 500 cities in both the United States in Canada. Their network of train routes total more than 21,000 miles. That includes 15 long distance trains, which cover more than 750 miles. The longest route is 2,728 miles (the Texas Eagle), which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles by way of San Antonio, Texas.

4. Amtrak runs the longest passenger train in the world

Amtrak is home to the longest passenger train in the world, called the Auto Train, which carries both passengers and their automobiles. It operates between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida, and has room for more than 300 automobiles. Passengers ride in coach seats or sleeping rooms, while their cars chug along in the freights. This train makes no stops over its 855-mile trip.

Amtrak trains can be a comfortable way to travel to your next vacation. The trips may take longer than air travel, depending on your destination, but could be an enjoyable and relaxing way to start your vacation.

Here at Resort Save, we are dedicated to helping you plan your next vacation with ease, so you can make the most of your time off with your family. We’re also happy to help you figure out all your questions, big and small, like if you should rent a car or use uber on your next vacation. For the latest on our vacation packages and travel information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.