Privately-Owned Rail Cars

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.

Conditions for Movement (Effective October 1, 2023), terms and conditions and other information about private car movements. 
Conditions for Movement (Effective January 1, 2025)

Guidelines for Private Cars on Amtrak
Rate Addendum Number 7 (Effective October 1, 2024)
Mileage Information (Effective October 1, 2024)

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).

Request a Private Car Movement (Word)
Request a Private Car Movement (PDF)

Effective 3/16/20 move requests will not be accepted via fax. Email your completed form to the Special Moves Team at specialmoves@amtrak.com.

• Review the Amtrak Private Car Safety Manual.
• Review the mechanical bulletins for any operational requirements and restrictions.
• Review the best practices.
• Consult the Service Alerts & Notices to see events that may affect your travel.

Guidelines for the Maintenance and Storage of Private Cars

Amtrak offers parking for Private Railroad Cars at select facilities.  To request parking for your car, download, complete and submit the Private Car Parking Permit.

The Amtrak Charter & Special Moves department will document and process each request, working with the private car owner and the local Amtrak facility where parking is requested.  Once it is determined that the agreement can be approved, an Amtrak Charter & Special Moves staff member will be available to assist the private car owner with the move request to the specified location for parking.

Private Car owners will be billed accordingly by Amtrak for services rendered.

Parking Updates

All customers covered with a parking agreement for any location receive a 15% discount on the daily parking rate at their non-home facilities during a move. See the parking agreement for terms and location restrictions.

Long Term Parking for all locations has been reduced from a six (6) month commitment to a three (3) month commitment. The parking agreement permit has been amended to indicate this change.

• Private Car Inspector Qualification Protocol
• Permit to Enter for Private Car Inspectors
• Amtrak Authorized Private Car Qualified Maintenance Person (QMP) List

• NAOE Air Test Record
• Private Car 40 Year or Older Inspection
• Private Car Annual Inspection Form
• 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
• Specifications Regarding the Safety and Protection of Railroad Traffic and Property

These organizations can provide information on private car trips for the general public.

• AAPRCO (The American Association of Private Rail Car Owners)
• RPCA (Railroad Passenger Car Alliance)