A high-speed rail line hopes to attach Los Angeles to New York Metropolis in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A proposal — dubbed “The Transcontinental Chief” and pitched to Amtrak in addition to President Trump and his secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy — would shoot riders between the nation’s two largest cities in simply 72 hours.
Delaware-based Ameristar Rail mentioned it will use present infrastructure owned by Amtrak and different regional rail strains passing by main cities like Kansas Metropolis, Chicago and Philadelphia relatively than launch a large and dear new public challenge.
It might be funded by personal traders — not taxpayers — and would carry autos in addition to passengers, modeled after Europe’s truck transport trains, Ameristar mentioned.
“The Transcontinental Chief will be a great opportunity for Amtrak to team up with the private sector to confront the challenges of its money-losing long-distance trains and create opportunities to usher in a profitable Golden Age of rail travel for passengers and truckers, with the ingenuity of free enterprise, as we celebrate our great nation’s 250th birthday next year,” Scott Spencer, AmeriStarRail’s chief working officer, wrote in a letter to Amtrak, in accordance with Newsweek.
AmeriStarRail hopes to have it operating by Could 10, 2026 — in time for the FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted throughout North America, with the finals at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The plan has been pitched to President Trump and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the paper reported.
Ameristar leaders mentioned taxpayers is not going to foot the challenge, which might be funded by personal traders.
“Subject to operating agreements with the host railroads (BNSF, Norfolk Southern and New Jersey Transit) the Transcontinental Chief can start operations on National Train Day, Sunday, May 10, 2026 to begin serving tourists for America 250 celebrations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“The Transcontinental Chief can be privately operated and funded, without new congressional legislation or additional federal spending.”
Amtrak has not but responded to the proposal, in accordance with Newsweek.
