In a bid to position rail travel as an alternative to road tripping through the Lone Star State, Amtrak has expanded its Texas train services with panoramic lounges and increased frequency. Olivia Palamountain reports

Amtrak has upgraded its Texas train services to attract slow travellers seeking an alternative to the state's famous road trips.

Both the Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited routes have now been boosted with restored panoramic observation cars, refurbished interiors and increased service frequency.

The Texas Eagle route now operates three times weekly between Chicago and San Antonio, with additional sleeping and coach cars expanding capacity. The 32-hour, 25-minute journey stops at major Texan cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio, with smaller stops at Longview, McGregor, Marshall, Mineola and San Marcos.    The route has reintroduced the Sightseer Lounge, a popular observation car featuring large windows and elevated seating that offers panoramic views of passing landscapes. Superliner cars have undergone interior modernisation including new seating, upholstery and LED lighting, whilst onboard dining has been upgraded with traditional dining options replacing previous service models.

The Sunset Limited, Amtrak's most southwestern route, operates three times weekly on a 48-hour journey between San Antonio and Los Angeles, stopping at Houston, El Paso, Del Rio, Beaumont and Alpine in Texas. The route passes through Big Bend National Park, showcasing desert and mountain landscapes distinct from the state's urban centres.

Alpine, a smaller stop on the Sunset Limited route, features over 40 murals reflecting local history and offers hiking at Hancock Hill with 360-degree views of surrounding valleys and mountains, providing alternatives to the major urban destinations along both routes.Union Pacific has invested in track upgrades along the Sunset Limited route, adding miles of second main track and extended sidings to improve operational efficiency. These infrastructure improvements address previous scheduling challenges on the single-track sections that caused delays.

Accessibility across both routes has also been enhances, such as station upgrades for passengers with disabilities, although specific details of the improvements have not as yet been disclosed.

The timing coincides with two major Texas attractions opening in 2025 and 2026. Netflix House launches in Dallas on December 11, 2025, whilst the FIFA World Cup 26 takes place at Dallas stadium throughout June and July 2026, potentially driving increased visitor numbers to the state.

The rail services also offer access to cultural destinations including Dallas's Arts District and Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Fort Worth Stockyards with daily cattle drives, Austin's live music venues and San Antonio's Riverwalk and the Alamo UNESCO World Heritage site. In Houston, the route provides connections to Space Centre Houston, whilst El Paso offers access to Franklin Mountains State Park.