Meet Lunatrain: The Startup Bringing New Overnight Trains to the US

Move over Amtrak, consumers may soon have another option for overnight train travel in the U.S.

An early-stage Philadelphia-based company named Lunatrain is developing a privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail service designed to connect major cities and destinations.

The new service will exclusively feature overnight sleeper trains that provide non-stop service, according to a press release from the company.

The project is not a moment too soon.

According to Lunatrain data, passenger rail saw a record number of riders in 2024, which the Philadelphia company suggests demonstrates that travelers are eager to travel via train when it is feasible and available. 

However, the current sleeper train options available to travelers simply aren't cutting it, suggests Lunatrain.

"Existing sleeper train options fall short of being a realistic alternative to short-haul flights and long-distance driving for most travelers," the company said in a press release.

"These existing trains are too expensive, too unreliable, and have dated sleeping cabins that don't meet the needs of many travelers," the press release adds.

Enter Lunatrain, which is meant to address these challenges and more.

The forthcoming night train service aims to satisfy what the company says is an unmet need for metropolitan leisure and business travelers seeking more comfortable, convenient, and safer long-distance travel options.

Lunatrain has its sights set on establishing a network of night trains across the East Coast and Midwest that will connect cities that are too far for daytime trains to serve effectively. The new service network will primarily be focused on trips that can be completed in a single night.

It's a move that has benefits for travelers (and train enthusiasts), while also providing more sustainable travel options.

The company points out that traveling by train at night will deliver "significant value to passengers by minimizing the number of waking hours they spend traveling." (And what travel doesn't love that?)

As for the sustainability factor - the trains are meant to offer a practical alternative to short-haul flights and driving long distances, thus reducing the carbon footprint of travelers using the train.

In addition, Lunatrain adds another mobility option to regions experiencing overcrowding at airports and on highways.

"Lunatrain is a space-efficient option that adds travel capacity to routes where demand is on pace to surpass the supply of existing travel options, ensuring adequate mobility options for leisure and business travelers alike," says the company's press release.

The new rail project would also benefit the economy. In addition to growing the rail industry, the project would create new U.S.-based jobs in engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, onboard service, and back-office professional roles.

What Will Lunatrain Sleeping Cabins Offer?

There will be sleeping cabins on Lunatrains designed to suit all types of travelers including solo travelers, couples and families.

The company is also promising that the sleeping cabins will be a significant improvement over existing sleeping train options in the United States. That includes offering enough power outlets to charge many devices simultaneously, having improved soundproofing and vibration dampening for optimal sleeping conditions, and including access to a host of onboard amenities.

The experience will also include high-speed Wi-Fi for work and entertainment, onboard full-service and in-room dining options, lounge spaces, and showers.

Economy and premium cabin options will be available, which will be priced competitively with an airline seat of the same service class along the same route.

Development Timeline

Lunatrain is planning to release a demonstration unit by the second half of 2026. This will allow the company to gather early customer feedback on its cabin designs and use a rapid, iterative design process to reach product-market fit. 

After that point, the company expects to move forward with building a fleet of stress-tested and scrutinized sleeping cars for full revenue service.

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