Mine would have to be Canadian National it's just something about it it's probably because of where I grew up in Wisconsin but it's just seeing them go through is why I love trains even now I even am into model trains I am even more into trains such as AC6000CW or Dash-8s even F40PH I love those even though they are no longer in service
In my small hometown, the railway collapsed. They plan to revitalize passenger connections, but... will see. There is a small branch left, where they sometimes transport coal to a nearby factory - I could watch it for hours. On the subject: CSX, when it comes to America, and here is the great merits of TSW, but I could (or maybe even should) mention another company, also another game Local patriotism - PKP Cargo TSW - DB Cargo
I am quite fond of LNER due to the fact that the staff are amazing and it is pretty much the only way for me to get to London. (I live just south of Lincoln which is in the sparce county of Lincolnshire where most of our railways were closed because of Dr Beeching). Edit: This is my 100th post! Well done me!!
To be honest when it comes to northamerican freight railroads, I like them all. Because they do a very good job with transporting 40 % of northamerican freight and so they are the backbone of the northamerican economy. Norfolk Southern I like most for their black and white livery with the beautyful horse. But I like Amtrak too, because of the P42, the Acela and the ACS 64. From the UK I like British Rail most. Because BR was the age of the train. In Germany I like DB most. From Russia I like RZD and from China I like CR. Because both do a great job in freight transport and passenger highspeed.
I think my two favorite passenger companies are Trenitalia (Italian national company) and Deutschland Bahn (German national company) if I have to go in particular I prefer Trenitalia: Mercitaliarail and Alta Velocita (Frecciarossa 1000 and 500, Italo) and for the Deutschland Bahn obviously the DB Regio
I have always been a Canadian National fan, but BC Rail in its earlier two tone green paint (1960s/70s) was a favourite in my younger days when I lived in BC, and the Northern Alberta Railways stole my heart in the late 70s before being bought out by CN.
I am more of a Canadian Pacific fan myself growing up in BC (Lower Mainland) getting to go to North Vancouver as a child and visiting the BC Rail yard and seeing the loco's.
SBB CFF FFS. Used to set my Omega Seamaster by them every morning when getting the train from Altstetten to work in Zurich City Centre.
I have a sympathetic attachment to Norfolk & Western, but of existing railways I think the Osterreicher Bundesbahn does an awesome job.
NJ Transit PATH Train MBTA MTA NY State US Australia NSW Trainlink under their CityRail banner now Sydney Train Hong Kong MTR Philippines LRTA
VIA, hands-down. They run one of the most luxurious passenger trains in the world yet they charge prices comparable to Amtrak. I can relive the golden age of North American passenger railroads at a price far lower (taking inflation into account) than anyone living in that time would have paid. They are a five star passenger railroad that is unmatched anywhere in the world, as far as regularly-scheduled mainline passenger services are concerned. The quality of their equipment and onboard service is second to none.
Do extinct ones count? If so my number one would be Pacific Electric. Mostly for their cool rolling stock and red livery