Video: 'The History of Amtrak - National Rail Passenger Corp. | Multicolor Films'

(Saturday, May 1, 1971, 12:01 a.m. EDT) — The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak, a passenger railroad service that provides medium and long-distance intercity service in the contiguous United States and to nine Canadian cities, began operations early today as a quasi-public corporation.

The first official Amtrak service began at 12:05 a.m. as the Metroliner departed Penn Station in New York City on its run to Washington.

When it began operating passenger service, Amtrak operated 178 passenger trains and served more than 300 U.S. cities.

Amtrak receives a combination of state and federal subsidies but is managed as a for-profit organization.