1971    Amtrak (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) is formed to take over U.S. passenger rail service.

1987    The Chase, Maryland rail wreck: An Amtrak train en route to Boston, Massachusetts from Washington, D.C., collides with Conrail engines in Chase, Maryland, killing 16 people.

1993    A barge strikes a railroad bridge near Mobile, Alabama, causing the deadliest train wreck in Amtrak history. 47 passengers are killed.

1995    An Amtrak Sunset Limited train is derailed by saboteurs near Palo Verde, Arizona.