Before air travel became the preferred mode for affluent and influential travelers, private railcars offered a secluded and luxurious way to journey across the United States. Though largely eclipsed by private jets and automobiles in the latter half of the 20th century, private train travel persists today, driven by a small but dedicated group of owners and enthusiasts who maintain historic railcars and keep the tradition alive.
Among those preserving this niche mode of transport is Patrick Henry, a private railcar owner based in Chicago. Henry, 74, manages three cars that are attached to regular Amtrak trains via the Privately-Owned Rail Car Program. This program allows owners to pay fees based on mileage to have their privately maintained cars coupled to Amtrak’s scheduled services. In fiscal year 2025, private railcars collectively traveled 429,000 miles on Amtrak lines, generating approximately $2.5 million in revenue for the national railway operator.
Henry purchased his first two cars in 2004 for $900,000, naming them after his parents, Warren R. and Evelyn Henry. A third, a 1954 Pullman car called Santa Fe, honors his father’s four decades with that railroad. Maintenance costs for his fleet are substantial, with up to $60,000 annually spent on upkeep for his domed car alone. Henry uses the cars for personal trips and charters, commanding rates around $16,000 per day, which include meals, beverages, and Amtrak fees.
On a recent journey from Chicago’s Union Station toward St. Louis, Henry’s private cars provided panoramic views from a second-floor dome, plush leather seating, and amenities such as Starlink internet, a dining room, and private bedrooms with bathrooms in the sleeper cars. Passengers aboard these private cars enjoy a level of comfort and exclusivity not found in standard Amtrak accommodations, earning loyal clients like Leonard Cherry, who charters Henry’s traincars for weeklong excursions that can cost upwards of $10,000 per person.
Efforts to expand private rail travel into broader markets have also emerged. Mike Avena launched Halloway in 2025, a platform designed to connect private railcar owners with travelers, similar in concept to Airbnb. The company operates several specialty routes, including the Napa Valley Wine Train and the Head of the Lakes journey along Lake Superior. Owners associated with this platform offer charters at varying prices; one car, the Blue Ridge Club owned by American Association of Private Rail Car Owners president Bill Gray, charters for $2,750 daily, excluding additional fees for Amtrak access and onboard services.
Despite its nostalgic appeal, private railcar travel faces challenges. The operation is constrained by Amtrak’s infrastructure and regulatory requirements, such as speed limits imposed on cars lacking advanced braking systems. The rising fees instituted since 2019 have also curtailed participation; the number of Amtrak-certified private cars has dropped from 125 a decade ago to about 38 today. Owners like Borden McGahee, who once enjoyed cross-country trips, have been priced out of the market, relegating their cars to tourist railroads or static display.
For many involved, private railcars represent more than transport—they are a means of preserving a historical legacy. As Henry’s train rolled through rural Illinois farmland and industrial towns, the experience evoked a bygone era when train travel was both practical and elegant. Passengers savor the uninterrupted view, the curated meals reminiscent of classic dining menus, and the chance to engage with the landscape in a way that faster travel modes cannot replicate.
Though a niche pursuit, private railcar travel continues to attract those seeking a blend of heritage, comfort, and exclusivity, maintaining a living connection to a storied chapter of American transportation history.