America is gearing up to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026 and it is hoped that a new transcontinental train will be operating in time for the festivities.

Introducing the ‘Transcontinental Chief’ that will carry you from New York City to Los Angeles in 72 hours. The proposed start date is 10 May 2026 which happens to be America’s National Train Day but it has to get the agreements from various host railroads before it can operate.

Delaware based AmeriStarRail has submitted the proposed route to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation or AMTRAK as it is more commonly referred to. The proposal is to rethink the current routes and the new Transcontinental Chief will replace the Southwest Chief and the Pennsylvanian Amtrak routes that transport passengers between Southern California and New York with stops in Chicago or Harrisburg.

Departing New York via a connecting PATH Subway journey or ferry from Manhattan across the Hudson River, the Transcontinental Chief will actually start the coast to coast rail ride from Hoboken New Jersey.

Due to the current restrictions on the Penn Station Tunnels the ‘Superliner‘ cars do not comply and this is why Hoboken -NJ is the boarding station, but there will be no boarding restrictions from Los Angeles.

Cities and towns along the route are discussing the financial benefits that this new service can offer them. Even Route 66 explorers can think of another route back from the 2772 mile journey.

At this time there is no information available about proposed ticket prices but this proposal although close to the duration of the 2 or 3 segments that currently exist coast to coast will be a direct service.