In 2027, the United States will celebrate a special anniversary: 200 years since the start of passenger rail transport. It is an opportunity to rediscover the country from a different perspective, stepping away from the car and the plane for a while to follow the tracks through mountains, canyons, deserts, and historic cities. The celebrations will involve museums, vintage stations, and scenic railways.
The Great Rail Itineraries
Traveling by train across the United States means crossing vast expanses and watching the landscape gradually change outside the window.
Among the most evocative experiences is the one offered by Canyon Spirit, which connects Denver in Colorado to Salt Lake City in Utah. The service runs exclusively during the day, allowing passengers to admire spectacular canyons, mountains, and red rock formations.
For those dreaming of crossing the country from coast to coast, some of Amtrak’s long-distance routes present a fascinating alternative. The California Zephyr links Chicago with the San Francisco Bay Area, traversing the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, while the Coast Starlight connects Seattle to Los Angeles, offering coastal scenery and California landscapes. The Empire Builder, meanwhile, starts in Chicago and reaches the Pacific Northwest, stopping at Glacier National Park and crossing vast prairies and mountain ranges.
Even the legendary Route 66 can become the centerpiece of a rail journey. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through towns tied to the famous Mother Road. A stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers a chance to discover Southwest culture, while Flagstaff, Arizona, serves as a gateway to the Grand Canyon.
In the Pacific Northwest, Amtrak’s new AIRO trains are anticipated, intended for the Cascades line linking cities such as Seattle and Portland. On the Gulf Coast, the Mardi Gras service connects New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, offering a chance to extend the journey amid music, gastronomy, and coastal communities.
Historic Trains, Vintage Stations, and Unusual Stays
The bicentennial will also be an opportunity to board historic trains and visit places that illustrate how railways have contributed to the development of the United States.
In Colorado, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad slices through the San Juan Mountains, while the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad snakes through mountainous scenery between Colorado and New Mexico. In Pennsylvania, the Strasburg Rail Road preserves the charm of historic railroading, while the Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia traverses the Appalachian Mountains on tracks once used by the timber industry.
In Baltimore, the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation will offer initiatives dedicated to railroad history, while the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania plans to open a new roundhouse accessible with six historic steam locomotives. In Omaha, the Durham Museum, housed in the 1931 Art Deco-style Union Station, allows visitors to view restored passenger cars from the 1940s.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Chalet Hotel at The Choo Choo offers overnight stays in restored Pullman cars. In Idaho, the Idaho Train Stays offers old carriages converted into accommodations, while in Lamy, New Mexico, a 1920s Pullman car has been converted into a unique lodging.
During 2027, meanwhile, Maryland will celebrate its railway heritage with museum visits and scenic journeys, while in Branchville, South Carolina, the traditional Raylrode Daze Festival will return, dedicated to the area’s local railroad history.
