There is a misconception out on the Internet about travel by privately owned railcars. Yes, Amtrak has made changes to it’s policies in many areas. And while the changes have provided challenges that have negatively affected many owners and the operations of their cars, it does not mean that Amtrak has banned the operations entirely.

The image above shows an example of travel by private railcar from earlier this year. We took a small group from Emeryville to Denver and back for a very enjoyable trip this past February. We enjoyed a mix of weather along the way, including arrival into Denver during a snow storm. And our trip back was in bright sunshine across Colorado and Utah. We did encounter a delay upon arrival into Reno, Nevada due to snow in the Sierra. However, our passengers all enjoyed the trip.

At the present time, we are exploring some possible options for another trip later this year, starting in Los Angeles. Potential destinations include Seattle, Albuquerque, Kansas City or Chicago. These long distance trips may be for a small group of 6 or as many as 16 passengers. Another option may be a day trip to San Diego. It is likely that the car chosen for this trip would not layover but would make two round trips between Los Angeles and San Diego instead.

Yes, Amtrak policies for privately operated railcars have changed. Some destinations or routes may not be as available as they were in the past. As well, a number of cars we chartered in the past may not be available. But, contrary to rumors, Amtrak has not instituted a total ban on operations. Privately owned railcars continue to be a fine method of travel. Perhaps more challenging than in the past, but Private Car Service continues to offer unique travel experiences.