Why Passenger Train Manufacturing Is Booming In The U.S

[Mr. Sparkle]

he United States ranks below many industrialized nations when it comes to ridership on its passenger rail, but investment in U.S. rail is picking up. Railcar manufacturing revenue in the U.S., including for freight trains, is expected to reach $2.9 billion by 2028. Meanwhile, investment in passenger rolling stock, which includes high-speed rail, light rail, metro, passenger coaches and locomotives, is expected to increase at a rate of 4.7% per year between 2021 and 2026 across North America. A big boost to the rail industry comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was passed in 2021 and designates $66 billion to improve the nation’s rail system. Train manufacturers are hoping to see some of that money trickle down to them. CNBC visited two of the biggest passenger railcar manufacturers operating in the country, Siemens and Alstom, to see how they are ramping up production and to learn what they see as the future of passenger rail in the US.

[Chi67]

1. Great!

Hopefully this continues. Traveling by train is so much nicer than flying. It's relaxing, there is plenty of room. You can get up and walk around. People are actually nice and friendly on the train. The seats actually recline without destroying the knees of the person behind you. I have met many wonderful people on train trips. Let Kevin and Karen keep flying. The nice people can take the train. It may take a little longer, but it sure is a much better travel experience.

[woodsprite]

2. I had never traveled by train more than a local commute

Before this summer. We took the auto train back from Florida to Delaware. It was awesome! Will definitely be doing that again. I know Avelo flies out of our local airport, but you’re limited to a 9x9x14” carry-on unless you want to pay much more, but I’d rather go by train.

[Wonder Why]

4. Sad. You're missing out on seeing the west like driving and flying will never allow you to see and the experience (if

you take a sleeper) of overnight train travel and dining while watching the world go by.

Three best trips in the Country

Denver (train starts in Chicago) to California or back the other way on the Zephyr.

Through Glacier Park to/from Seattle or Portland on the Empire Builder

Down or up the west coast between Seattle and Los Angeles.

All these are Amtrak trains that have returned traditional dining and Lounge Cars to their consist since the disastrous food changes of Covid which still most of the eastern long distance trains.

The two other western trains are step below but worth a trip - the Southwest Chief through Albuquerque to L.A. and the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and L.A.

Amtrak still suffers from its permanent ineptitude when it comes to onboard service inconsistencies and poor maintenance as well as the delays caused by freight interference but we still love traveling on them.

[sdfernando]

6. I will be traveling by train over the new year

Taking the Zephyr from the SF Bay area to Chicago. 2.5 days in a room with our own bath & shower. New Year's on the train. Going to be fun!.....just don't let anyone know that I have the Rembrandt Letters!

[AllaN01Bear]

8. rode the sw cheif and ca zypher many times from 1970 to 2000 many times . never rode the sunset limited . my travel days

are over but fond memories .

[Javaman]

7. it's a more civilized way to travel.

I can't fly anymore and traveling by train is such a night and day difference from the cattle care mentality of flying.

[Escurumbele]

10. Hopefully the train industry will popularize to become a great competition to airlines thus forcing

airlines to better their services. We flew to NY in Spirit, they don't even give you water anymore, you have to buy it, the sits are incredibly uncomfortable, and unless you don't have a carryon, just your laptop backpack, its not worth it, it costs you the same as traveling with American, Delta or United because when you add a carryon, and a bigger luggage then you are paying more.

[BComplex]

3. I'm planning a coast to coast trip by train this spring, and really looking forward to it!

I've only ridden on a train one time for about 2 hours, and that was back in the dark ages.

[Deep State Witch]

5. AMTRAK Joe!

Thanks, AMTRAK Joe!

[TygrBright]

9. Hopeful news! Thank you for posting.

When I was a child if we wanted to visit family we got on a streetcar which took us to the depot, we got on a train named something like "Vistadome" or "Zephyr", and we watched America go by. And when we got where we were going, we'd get on "the El" (in Chicago) or into a taxi (Spokane) and go to our relatives' houses.

Trains were more comfortable than airplanes. You could get up and walk around. You could go to the dining car and get a meal. You could recline your seat without being in danger of kneecapping the person behind you. There was room for your carry-on items and depending on the type of carriage, you might even have a table you could sit around and play cards or games while traveling. We weren't rich enough to travel by sleeper, but we could snooze comfortably with blankets and pillows and reclined seats - some trains even had little curtains you could draw between the seats and the aisle.

Sleepers were a whole 'nother level of convenience - the basic minimum entitled you to a regular seat in a carriage, plus the equivalent of a bunk in a 3-tier (6-berth couchette) or 2-tier (4-berth couchette) pullman. If you were really treating yourself you could get privacy and comfort in a 1- or 2-person bedroom that was a private carriage by day and sleeping accommodation by night. When I was a child the longest coast-to-coast train ride generally took 3-4 days and required a train change in someplace like Chicago or St. Louis, but you could also get "streamliner" service with more limited stops that would take 2-3 days.

I would love to be able to ride trains again before I croak...

wistfully,
Bright