Named trains
Railroads promoted famous trains with distinctive schedules, liveries, dining service, and advertising.
Pullman and sleeping service
Sleeping cars allowed passengers to travel overnight in comfort across long distances.
Dining and lounge cars
Dining rooms, observation lounges, and dome cars turned the journey itself into part of the experience.
Why ridership declined
Automobiles, highways, commercial aviation, changing population patterns, and rising operating costs reduced passenger rail demand after World War II.
Amtrak
In 1971, Amtrak took over most intercity passenger rail service in the United States.
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