As part of Train Chartering's family travel strategy, Private Rail Cars has announced opportunities to hire train carriages for exclusive multi-generational travel between some key US cities, making use of empty leg train movements, also known as positioning moves.

Trains, carriages and rail cars are offered by Train Chartering, the Luxury Train Club and Private Rail Cars in many parts of the world. These provide an ideal environment for re-connecting, from great grandparents to the newest addition to the family.

Empty leg or positioning movements are a single journey by a charter train or private rail car without passengers. These journeys may be offered at a discount to other travellers, families or groups. Many fixed costs may be covered by the other leg which has already been contracted or sold to another party.

A private carriage or rail car is a perfect environment in which to enjoy the proximity of your family, while giving younger members their own space. Many rail cars have separate rooms or compartments, and a family group can hire two carriages for the additional flexibility.

Simon Pielow of Train Chartering says, "Empty leg is a known aviation term, but it fits very well for train charters or private rail car hire. It is also a great way for all the generations of a family to enjoy the privacy and togetherness of a carriage to themselves, at discounted cost."

The USA has a number of railcars to which Private Rail Cars service has access. Here is an example:
Empty leg, Mount Vernon and Berlin rail cars, Emeryville CA (close to San Francisco) - Chicago IL - Washington DC - New York NY, October 30 - November 4, 2012. The schedule / timetable includes one night parked at Chicago and one night at Washington DC. Inquire with Private Rail Cars for availability and fare details.

Empty leg trips may be on a self-catering basis; in which case, family groups will have access to fully-equipped onboard kitchens.

Both Berlin and Mount Vernon are also available for full-cost, catered charters, by arrangement with Private Rail Cars. An example (using Mount Vernon, which sleeps 10) is a five-day weekend trip from New York City to New Orleans for $18,500. This is good value for a trip for the Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest or Mardi Gras weekends. Overnighting in the rail car at New Orleans Station is cost effective, as well as safe and convenient.

Train Chartering hires out trains and carriages for many purposes, from family and association travel, film locations, to corporate hospitality, incentive travel, VIP travel and train journeys in the UK, Europe, USA and worldwide. Operating for over 14 years, we work with very small groups and individuals (such as for luxury train travel) as well as transporting larger groups to, for example, conferences or world-class sporting events.

• More case studies