What trains are there?

Question

I am looking to go from Pennsylvania to Seattle is there any other train company besides Amtrak??

Answer 1

for passengers or for freight?

for Passenger all you got is amtrak

(freight is another story)

Answer 2

Indeed, long-distance, intercity passenger rail service is provided only by Amtrak.

Answer 3

As has been pointed out, Amtrak is the only way to get by train between cities in the U.S.

Amtrak can get you from Pennsylvania to Seattle.  You would take an Amtrak train from a city like Philadelphia or Pittsburg to Chicago.  In Chicago you would board Amtrak's Empire Builder, which operates between Chicago and Seattle (and also Portland).  A long trip, but a nice trip...

Answer 4

As a matter of fact there is, but only because your travel points are somewhat convenient to another country's railroad.

By hook or by crook, get to Toronto.    From there take the Via Rail _Canadian_ to Vancouver, BC.   http://www.viarail.ca/en_index.html

I believe there's a bus to Seattle from there.

Answer 5

Gabby-

I can tell you this.  My wife and I are avid Amtrak'ers.  Love it!

As the other folks have pointed out you may have to make a change in Chicago to get to Seattle.

Its definately going to be a nice trip for you.

My wife and I take the Coast Starlight out of San Jose twice per year into Seattle to visit relatives.  Its definately a nice ride.

I will assume that you are looking into getting a sleeper.  The meals are included with your sleeper, so that is handled for you.  There are shower facilities on the train, though you may have to ask the Porter to unlock them for you.

We have never had any complaints with regard to the staff.  They have always been professional and courtious.  The only way I can describe it, is Amtrak is more like a rolling hotel than anything else.  The food on the train is also pretty good, and they have a pretty nice menu too.

No my wife and I are not old Fuddy-Duddies, we are both 36 and work for Department of Homeland Security in the airports and Federal Buildings.  Since we do this for a living, we just prefer to avoid all of the stupidity and travel by rail.

Just be aware, Amtrak is not always timely to their destinations, so don't be in a hurry.  But do take your camera, as you are going to see some very nice country along your journey.

Have a good trip, and enjoy it.