The world today is unpredictable, but a few things remain certain: death, taxes, and renewed calls to privatize U.S. passenger rail. Image: AmtrakBut what exactly would a fully privatized Amtrak look like—and what could that mean for travelers who rely on it for everyday transportation? Image: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP PATRICK T. FALLONWhat would a privatized Amtrak look like? Another likely consequence of a fully privatized U.S. passenger rail system is the elimination of service to less frequently traveled routes. In the 1990s, Great Britain privatized its national rail service, successfully spinning off British Rail into dozens of franchises.