Privately-Owned Rail Cars
An Extraordinary Way to See North America
Amtrak provides the ability for rail/train car owners to have their privately-owned rail/train cars attached to our trains between specified locations to see North America in an extraordinary way. We also provide many services, including 480v standby power, water, ice, septic, car wash, parking, and switching.
The charges to the owner of the private car include an annual registration fee, concurrent with the annual PC-1 inspection, as well as a mileage rate based on the number of cars on that particular movement request and other charges based on the services requested. View our Private Car Tariff terms and conditions, and other information about private car movements.
Effective January 1, 2019, the Private Car Tariff will be replaced by the revised Conditions for Movement of Privately Owned Railroad Cars on Amtrak.
- New Oakland, CA charge effective November 1, 2018 pursuant to Private Car Rate Addendum No. 7
- Rate increases effective May 1, 2018 pursuant to Private Car Rate Addendum No. 6 to Conditions for Movement Privately Owned Railroad Cars on Amtrak Effective June 1, 2007
- Rate increases effective October 1, 2017 pursuant to Private Car Rate Addendum No. 5
- Rate increases effective October 1, 2016 pursuant to Private Car Rate Addendum No. 4
- Additional Locomotive Guidelines: Private Car Locomotive Guide
For more information about scheduling a move, please call:
- 1-800-424-0217 and choose option “9” from the main menu
- Press "1" for Private Car Manager
- Press "2" for Charter Manager
For emergencies, press "0" and you will be transferred to an open line (available 24/7).
- Review the mechanical bulletins for any operational requirements and restrictions.
- Consult the Service Alerts & Notices to see events that may affect your travel.
- Private Car Inspector Qualification Protocol Effective January 1, 2019
- Permit to Enter for Private Car Inspectors Effective January 1, 2019
- Private Car Inspection Change Notice
- NAOE Air Test Record
- Private Car 40 Year or Older Inspection
- Private Car Annual Inspection Form
- Private Car Authorized Inspector Roster
- Private Car Axle & Wheel Periodic Ultrasonic Test Results
- Private Car Clearance Form
- Private Car Data Form
- Private Car Follow-Up Inspection After Amtrak 40 Year Inspection Form
- Private Car Passenger Record
- Private Car Route Mileage Log
- Private Car Shop Report
- Private Car Wheelset Serial Number Record