How to Track Amtrak Trains

Track your Amtrak trip through Amtrak's website or by using a GPS device.

Tracking your route on an Amtrak train makes it easier for those who might be meeting you at your arrival station to be there at the correct time. Amtrak makes it possible to track the status of any of their trains through their website. To track a train in even more detail, a global positioning device and laptop or palm/smart phone device with mapping can be used to track your train in real time. Mapping your route this way gives you to-the-second positioning that can help with trip planning and scheduling.

Things You'll Need

• GPS device
• Laptop or palm/smartphone device
• Mapping software

Instructions

Using Amtrak's Tracking Service

1. Open your internet browser and go to www.amtrak.com. Select the "Status" tab from the box on the left hand side of the page.

2. Enter the date, train number, departure city and arrival city and click "Check Status."

3. Find your train among the options that are listed on the next page. You will be able to see the departure time and the estimated arrival time, including notes regarding early or late departures or arrivals.

Using a GPS Device and Laptop or Palm Device with Mapping Software to Real-Time Track Your Train

1. Find a window seat, turn on your GPS device and point the antenna toward the sky. Once you have a signal, place your GPS device on a table, tray or sill as near to the window as possible.

2. Connect your GPS device to your laptop or palm device with a USB cable. Turn on your laptop or palm device. If this is the first time you've used your GPS with your laptop, you may be prompted to install a new driver. Follow the directions for installing the driver.

3. Open your mapping software. Options for mapping software that work with GPS devices include Rand McNally's Street Finder Deluxe, National Geographic Mapping and Microsoft Streets and Trips.

4. Choose your software's GPS option to receive images that show the location of your train. Depending on the software you are using, your location should refresh every second to every five seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are having trouble using Amtrak's online tracking service or don't have access to the internet, you can also check the status of a train by calling Amtrak at 800-872-7245.

• GPS devices will not work from the interior of a train, so be sure to position your GPS as close to a window as possible.

References

• Amtrak: Home
• On Track On Line: GPS Train Tracking