New rail plan would link Hoboken and Los Angeles
By: Lucas Frau
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... A train route from Hoboken to Los Angeles? The private company ameriStarRail wants to make it possible with a route hat would make the cross-country trip in less than three days.
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The Delaware-based company proposed a private-public partnership with Amtrak, the nation's railroad provider, for a route called The Transcontinental Chief, which would take travelers across the country.
..... AmeriStarRail's proposed route is to be in operation by May 10, 2026, just before the start of the FIFA World Cup.
..... The journey from New Jersey to California would begin in Hoboken. those in New York looking to make the cross-country trip would need to take the PATH train to the Garden State.
..... A direct stop cannot be made at New York's Penn Station due to "restrictions for the bi-level Superliners," the private railroad company said.
..... AmeriStarRail said the new route would decrease delays and have the capacity to carry cars, vans, motorcycles, RVs, charter motor coaches and tractor-trailers.
..... "ASR proprietary operating techniques will help prevent the chronic train delays and service disruptions of Amtrak;s previous inefficient operation of lengthy trains for Mail and Express services,: ASR said in its letter to the federal government.
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The company said it would like to make Amtrak profitable. Amtrak has never operated for-profit and uses government subsidies for funds and operations.
..... Amtrak's current service offers two routes that go coast to coast, with stops in Chicago and in Harrisburg and Reading, Pennsylvania. AmeriStarRail said The Transcontinental Chief would replace those Amtrak routes.
..... The proposed trip would take travelers form Hoboken to Harrisburg, and then it would begin the "combined train" route to Los Angeles with stops in major cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Albuquerque, New Mexico. AmeriStarRail;s plan also consists of a separate line that would take pol;e form Harrisburg to Washington, D.C. with a stop in Philadelphia. Other lines from Amtrak would still be in petitions under the proposal.
..... The company hopes to give an advantage to truck drives, as the cross-country train would serve as a "rolling truck stop solution for truckers to rest on-board Amtrak trains while covering 200-500 miles during their required 10-hour rest period," the proposal says.
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Amtrak did not respond to comment request from USA Today. Nothing has been confirmed about these plans.