In amtrak, what does the carrier code mean?

Question

... the ticket says 'carrier code 2v'... any clues... my friend is trying to take a train in newark penn station and his ticket says carrier code 2v...

Answer 1

its amtrak's carrier code, issued by IATA (international air transport assoc), for computer reservation systems.  this is commonly known as an "airline code", such as Frontier is F9, American is AA, and so on.  this allows computer reservation systems (CRS) such as Apollo, Gallileo, WorldSpan, and Sabre to issue tickets. this is important because travel agents use these networks, so that they can access multiple carrier services and fares from 1 computer.  

although primarily used for airlines, other carriers such as Amtrak and  VIA Rail Canada also have these carrier codes.  there is no restriction requiring the carrier to be an airline, it is for any carrier that is willing to pay the fees to IATA and the CRS's to be listed, as a way to increase sales by adding travel agents to their sales outlets.