Harrisburg’s Amtrak station is at the heart of a new proposal to revive a transcontinental rail route. Earlier this month, AmeriStarRail, a Delaware-based company, submitted a letter to Amtrak and the White House pitching its coast-to-coast service called the “Transcontinental Chief.” The proposed line would run from New York to Los Angeles, stopping in Harrisburg, and aims to allow passengers to cross the country in under 72 hours.
Scott Spencer, AmeriStarRail’s chief operating officer, said the plan would use existing Amtrak and Norfolk Southern infrastructure to complete the route. The company hopes to launch the service by May 10, 2026, in time for the World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary. Spencer emphasized the project would be profitable and not require new federal legislation or additional tax dollars. While some travelers expressed excitement about the expanded travel options, others questioned the feasibility of the ambitious timeline. Spencer said formal talks with Amtrak are expected to start in August as the company works to coordinate the complex project like a Broadway show.