Private Rail Cars

[KmH]

When I rode Amtrak's California Zephyr last month, on the westbound leg making photos out the back window on the train was hindered because Amtrak was pulling 2 private cars, a dome/lounge car and a single level sleeper.
Amtrak's private car mileage rates went up on October 1.
Base mileage is $2.88 per car mile, and an additional car is $2.20 per car mile more. S0 $5.08 per mile for 2 private cars.
The California Zephyr route from Chicago to it's west end at Emeryville, CA is 2,438 miles.
$12,385.04 to have Amtrak pull 2 private cars from Chicago to Emeryville.
It looked like just 1 guy was using the 2 private cars.

 

[tirediron]

Never mind the cost of acquiring and maintaining them in a 'Class 1 road-ready' state... Some people have far more money than is good for me!

 

[KmH]

Yep.
At least a couple of million per car to restore them after they were bought, and then the ongoing costs of maintaining them.

Written on the side of the cars is CHARTER, under the dome, and CHARTER CLUB under the 2 low windows on the side.
A lot of private rail car owners charter their cars.