Chartering a Private Railcar
The process of chartering a private railcar is very much like the process of chartering a yacht. The client decides on dates of travel, itinerary, number of guests, the menu, and then decides on the right yacht.
At the end of this page you will find a link to Amtrak’s current list of switching points where Amtrak will accommodate a private car, and you’ll find a form where you can fill in pertinent information concerning your trip.
Passengers may board and detrain a private car at any station that Amtrak serves. The private car itself, however, has more constraints and must travel between points where facilities exist to accommodate its needs. Those needs include availability of a locomotive and crew to remove or add the private car to a train; an area to park the private car; access to services, such as potable water and septic pumping, hotel power, and the like.
Passengers traveling on private cars usually do not have access to the rest of the train for meal service. This is particularly true where the train consists of high-level equipment.
Most private cars operating today date from the early years of the 20th century up through the mid-1950’s. they are available in a variety of configurations, as detailed below. As such, they were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act, and with few exceptions, are exempt from its provisions. They will not accommodate full-size wheelchairs. Passengers should be able to walk, either alone or with assistance.
Coaches have reclining chairs in 2x2 configuration and a total capacity of between 44-60. Some short-distance coaches may have greater capacities. As built, coaches did not have food service. Some owners have installed kitchens.
Lounges have an open floor plan, usually with chairs, sofas, and some tables. A bar is usually at one end of the car, along with some food service capability. Some lounge cars were built to be at the end of the train, and may have blunt or rounded ends, with rear-facing windows.
Sleeper-Lounges have a lounge area, as above, shortened to accommodate 4 to 6 bedrooms and perhaps a buffet kitchen. Bedrooms usually sleep 2 persons each, and may have an enclosed bathroom annex in each room.
Sleepers in private service may have a variety of fully private room accommodations: Roomettes sleep 1 person; Bedrooms and Compartments sleep 2 people; Drawing Rooms sleep up to 3 persons. Total capacity of these kinds of cars is usually around 20-22. There are some variants that might have slightly higher capacity. As built, sleepers had neither showers nor food service capability. Some owners have installed both.
Business Cars have overnight capacities of 4-7 passengers, plus staff, in more luxurious settings. There is a rear-facing observation lounge, and a formal dining room usually accommodating around 8 persons. At the forward end of the car are the kitchen, pantry and crew quarters.
Many cars now in private hands that date from the 30’s and earlier have open platforms, such as one would see on political whistle stop trains. When on Amtrak trains, the platforms may not be occupied when the train is in motion.
Dome Cars come in the configurations listed above, with the addition of a glass-enclosed sightseeing area that is above the normal roofline of the car. They afford spectacular viewing in all directions. Some have been reconfigured from their original 24 double chairs.
Full-length Dome Cars are just what is implied. The dome section runs nearly the full length of the car and can accommodate as many passengers as a standard coach. In addition there is a lounge or snack bar on the lower level, perhaps with a kitchen, that can accommodate another two dozen or so passengers for refreshments and food.
Dome cars, due to their extra height, are not permitted to travel on Amtrak routes north of Washington DC and east of Albany-Rensselaer New York.
When one charters a private car, a Person In Charge, Mechanic (may be the same person as the one in charge), and on-board staff will be present. On-board staff would generally consist of a Chef and additional attendants as may be needed, depending on the complexity of the food service desired and the number of guests.
The owner/operator of the car(s) you select for your trip will be pleased to work with you to navigate the process, and to make your charter a most enjoyable one!
June 2021
Guidelines for Private Cars on Amtrak
These guidelines apply to Private Cars, defined as non-Amtrak cars moved on regularly scheduled Amtrak trains, parked at Amtrak-controlled facilities, or repaired by Amtrak employees for commercial customers. These guidelines do not apply to any such move, parking, or repair activity that Amtrak may perform for its own or for governmental purposes.
For Charter Train Information, please see Guidelines for Charter Trains Operated by Amtrak.
Amtrak’s primary objective is to operate its core scheduled train service safely, punctually, and efficiently. As a result, the following guidelines applies to Private Cars effective January 1, 2020:
In every instance of Private Car movement/service requests, the needs of regularly scheduled Amtrak passenger trains and customers will take first priority. Private Car services are dependent on the availability of facilities, equipment, and resources. All such activities require prior Amtrak written approval.
Private Cars must not delay Amtrak trains. This guideline contains a list of Amtrak-served locations which are eligible for adding or removing Private Cars from designated Amtrak trains, subject to operating conditions at the time of the requested movement.
Maintenance performed by Amtrak on Private Cars is limited to FRA-required repairs of safety appliances, with such maintenance performed only as necessary on a Private Car in the consist of an Amtrak Train during a Private Car Move. If a Private Car requires an FRA-required repair to a safety appliance that can be repaired at the destination terminal on a Private Car Move, the Private Car Owner or Designee or the Person-in-Charge is to contact the CNOC Charter & Special Movements Desk for authorization at 1-800-424-0217 and choose option “9” from the main menu, then "1" for Private Car Manager. For mechanical emergencies, press "7" to be transferred to an open line (available 24/7). Amtrak will provide wheel truing and wheelset replacement services utilizing current AAR rates, subject to the availability of Amtrak facilities, equipment, and resources. This work shall not impede the servicing or maintenance of Amtrak equipment.
Private Car activities on Amtrak are subject to the then-current version of the “Conditions for Movement Privately Owned Railroad Cars on Amtrak Effective January 1, 2019” as amended from time to time and must be approved by Amtrak in advance.
Rearmost positioning may not be available on some long-distance trains due to Amtrak seasonal consist • *Cardinal, train 50 will be supported for Friday arrival at WAS
Some Trains and/or modifications based on current COVID-19 operating conditions (Subject to Change without Notice
If you have questions about Private Car guidelines, please contact specialmoves@amtrak.com