Map Shows Plan for Sleeper Trains To Run Across US

A new sleeper train system that could connect the Midwest to New England has been unveiled.

Lunatrain, which describes itself as a “private, early-stage company,” said that it would be developing a rail system that would connect some of the biggest cities in the U.S. with “express, nonstop service” sleeper trains.

Newsweek has contacted Lunatrain via email for more information on the project’s implementation.

Why It Matters

Expansions of the U.S. rail system have historically struggled to meet targets. The largest rail project in the country, California’s high-speed rail system, has come under criticism for an increasing budget and several delays. Lunatrain’s system would be one of the most expansive in U.S. history.

What To Know

In a statement released on Tuesday, Philadelphia-based Lunatrain said that it had begun developing a network of night trains throughout the East Coast and the Midwest, while also connecting the U.S. to Canada via Toronto and Montreal.

The new service will focus exclusively on overnight sleeper trains, with different-sized cabins for solo travelers and groups.

“These sleeping cabins are a significant improvement over existing sleeping train options in the United States,” Lunatrain’s statement said.

“Lunatrain cabins are sized to meet different types of traveler needs appropriately, offer enough power outlets to charge many devices simultaneously, have improved soundproofing and vibration dampening for optimal sleeping conditions, and include access to a host of onboard amenities.

“Lunatrain will have both economy and premium cabin options available that will be priced competitively with an airline seat of the same service class along the same route.”

The routes highlighted on the map Lunatrain provided are designed so that they can be completed overnight. The map shows links between some of the largest cities in the country, including Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Denver, Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York City.

Lunatrain is set to release a “demonstration unit” of the carriage’s interior by the second half of 2026.

What People Are Saying

In a statement seen by Newsweek, Lunatrain said: “Lunatrain is a private, early-stage company with a mission to bring more comfortable, more convenient, and safer long-distance travel to Americans at competitive prices.

“Through its partnerships with the industry’s most forward-thinking organizations, Lunatrain is defining a new gold standard for passenger rail that meets the complex needs of today’s travelers.”