Amtrak is the name of the United States intercity passenger train system. It is a combination of the word American and Track.
In its original conception, Amtrak owned no track and was not truly a railroad. It simply ran its trains over the existing privately owned (but by public stock companies) railway network. For the most part, this scheme exists today, but certain dense passenger lines, such as the corridor between Washington and Boston via New York is largely Amtrak's own Railroad. (Interestingly, the segment between New Rochelle, NY and New Haven, CT is not owned by Amtrak).
The official name of the corporation is the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Amtrak receives government funding, leading to recurring debates over its elimination.
Amtrak operates one high speed rail line, using "Acela" trains between Boston and Washington DC's Union Station.
The current President of Amtrak is David Gunn.
Science fiction author Patrick Tilley has written a series of novels collectively titled The Amtrak Wars.
In the UK, Amtrak is the name of a parcel delivery company.
The two companies are not related.
