On Board With Design

Congress passed the Rail Passenger Service Act in 1970, following decades of decline in passenger rail travel. The act created Amtrak, a quasi-public agency which initially served 43 states with 21 routes across the United States, and which today manages a network of nearly all intercity passenger rail service across the country. In its initial conception, it was referred to as “Railpax,” which came from the telegraphers’ code for railroad passenger. The firm of Lippincott & Margulies created an identity system behind the name Amtrak that debuted in 1971, blending the words “American” and “track,” and introducing a dynamic, modern identity system that appeared on such items as timetables, railroad tickets, advertising campaigns, and route maps.

Items in the exhibit are housed at Northwestern University’s Transportation Library. Email transportationlibrary@northwestern.edu with questions, or to schedule an appointment.