Why do Amtrak routes have names?

The practice of naming trains is nearly as old as that of naming ships. Today routes may take their names from those of an original train, a location, or even a reputation. For example:

• Cardinal (New York to Chicago) is so named because the state bird of all the states on that route is the cardinal.
• Silver Meteor (New York to Miami) was named after the original classic streamliner of gleaming silver stainless-steel passenger cars with a reputation for speedy service.
• Adirondack (New York to Montreal) is named after the Adirondack Mountains, through which it travels.
• Downeaster (Portland, ME, to Boston) is named after the sailing vessels that once traveled “down east” along the New England shoreline.
• Lincoln Service (Chicago to St. Louis) is named for Illinois native Abraham Lincoln.
• California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco) takes its name after the diesel-powered passenger train of the same name and the famous west wind from which it was inspired.