Amtrak

Created in 1971, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation is a for-profit company funded by the US federal and state governments.

Trading under the name Amtrak, the company brought together the passenger rail services, and eventually rolling stock and track, from at least 20 private long-distance passenger rail companies that were failing due to the rise of air travel, private car ownership, and the popularity of the National Highway System.

According to Amtrak, its name was created by Harshe-Rotman & Druck, a public relations firm, and is a contraction and portmanteau of the words ‘American’ and ‘track‘.

Chosen because it was memorable and strong, Amtrak sounds a lot better than the originally intended brand name, Railpax.

Source: Amtrak