In 1970, Congress created Amtrak to keep passenger trains running after private railroads stopped offering service. Amtrak used tracks owned by major rail companies and improved its trains over time, though its future was often uncertain.

Today, two Amtrak trains pass through West Virginia. The Cardinal (pictured) goes through southern cities like Charleston and Huntington, while the Capitol Limited runs through Harpers Ferry and Martinsburg in the northeast.

In the past, two other trains—the Blue Ridge and the Hilltopper—also served the state, but they were canceled due to poor schedules and service.