Transcontinental Chief (Image courtesy of AmeriStarRail) 

A bold new rail project could soon connect Los Angeles and New York in a way we haven’t seen before. AmeriStarRail has announced plans for The Transcontinental Chief — a privately funded, cross-country train service in partnership with Amtrak — with an eye on a 2026 debut.

The idea is simple but ambitious: move both people and big rigs across the country in under 72 hours. Truckers would be able to load their tractor-trailers onboard, kick back during their federally mandated 10-hour breaks, and let the train do the work. Think of it as a “rolling rest stop” that just happens to cross the entire U.S.

It’s not just for truckers, either. The service will also offer a transcontinental Auto Train option for travelers who want to bring along their cars, vans, motorcycles, RVs, or even charter buses. Stops would include Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and the Grand Canyon — making it part transportation, part sightseeing trip.

For those picturing bullet trains like California’s High-Speed Rail or Brightline West — pump the brakes. The Transcontinental Chief isn’t a high-speed electric train. It’ll run on diesel, topping out around 79–90 mph and using mostly existing freight rail lines.

AmeriStarRail COO Scott Spencer says this is a prime opportunity for Amtrak to team up with private partners and tackle the financial challenges of its long-distance routes.

If all goes to plan — and agreements are reached with major rail operators like BNSF, Norfolk Southern, and New Jersey Transit — the first trip could roll out on National Train Day, Sunday, May 10, 2026. That timing would coincide with two huge events: America’s 250th birthday and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

And that’s not all AmeriStarRail has on the horizon. The company is also working on upgrading Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor with a brand-new fleet of high-speed trains, offering coach, business, and first-class seating on every trip — aiming to make fast rail travel more accessible and affordable.