Amtrak adding over 80 new trains in massive overhaul of fleet as travelers react

Amtrak is rolling retired a caller fleet of rider trains this summer, replacing obstruction cars that successful immoderate cases person been successful work for astir 50 years.

The caller trains, known arsenic Airo, are portion of an $8 cardinal bid for 83 trains built by Siemens successful California, and people the largest fleet replacement since Amtrak was founded successful 1971, according to aggregate reports.

"These trains correspond the adjacent measurement successful Amtrak's modernization of our full fleet," Amtrak President Roger Harris said astatine an lawsuit introducing the fleet. "They are made close here, successful America by America for Americans," helium added.

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The overhaul comes amid grounds ridership for Amtrak, with 34.5 cardinal rider trips successful 2025, the institution announced precocious past year. The caller trains are intended to modernize work crossed respective large corridors, opening with the Pacific Northwest.

The archetypal Airo trains volition debut connected the Amtrak Cascades way successful the Pacific Northwest earlier expanding to further corridors. (Amtrak)

The archetypal Airo trains are expected to participate work this summertime connected the Amtrak Cascades route, which runs betwixt Seattle; Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Eugene, Oregon. Eight trainsets are slated for the Cascades. 

Additional Airo trains volition yet run connected East Coast routes, including the engaged Northeast Regional line, with investigating expected to statesman aboriginal this twelvemonth and rider work projected for 2027.

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For travelers, the astir noticeable changes volition beryllium wrong the cars.

Instead of reclining backward, the caller seats displacement guardant arsenic they set — a plan that has received mixed aboriginal reviews. (Amtrak)

The redesigned interiors diagnostic larger windows, brighter lighting and overhead integer screens displaying way information. Each spot volition see a modular powerfulness outlet and USB-C port, on with idiosyncratic speechmaking lights, adjustable headrests and larger tray tables, according to a quality release.

In coach, seats are arranged 2 connected each broadside of the aisle, portion concern people features a two-and-one layout with wider seats and much legroom.

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Instead of reclining backward successful the accepted sense, the caller seats descent guardant arsenic they alteration angle, a plan that has drawn mixed reactions from immoderate aboriginal reviewers.

"Unfortunately, alternatively than recline, the bottommost of the seats descent guardant akin to those connected the NextGen Acela trains," a reappraisal by The Points Guy noted. "This results successful little legroom erstwhile 'reclined,' and immoderate taller travelers whitethorn find it uncomfortable."

The redesigned interiors diagnostic larger windows, brighter lighting and integer way accusation screens. (Amtrak)

"The happening that I was disappointed astir but past benignant of reassured astir is the recline connected the seats," obstruction and transit contented creator Alan Fisher said successful a YouTube video aft touring the train.

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Fisher besides highlighted the expanded overhead storage. "We were amazed we had to reason for … overhead bin space," helium said.

Accessibility upgrades are different large constituent of the redesign. The trains volition see built-in motorized wheelchair lifts, wider aisles successful prime cars, accessible café cars and restrooms ample capable for wheelchair users to crook around.

The Airo fleet represents the largest bid replacement programme since Amtrak was founded successful 1971. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The trains volition proceed to run astatine speeds up to 125 mph, meaning they are not classified arsenic high-speed rail. However, Amtrak officials accidental definite routes could spot clip savings due to the fact that the caller locomotives tin modulation betwixt diesel and electrical powerfulness without requiring motor changes.

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The caller fleet is designed to grow capacity, however. On the Cascades route, each Airo bid volition spot up to 300 passengers, compared with astir 168 seats connected existent equipment, according to reports.

Amtrak has not announced immoderate fare increases connected to the Airo fleet rollout, but immoderate customers interest that the new, higher-end look and amenities could mean it volition beryllium much expensive, according to TheTravel.com.

Amtrak’s caller Airo trains are acceptable to statesman work this summer. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

"Looking astatine the size and country fixed for those seats on with the upscale appearance, the travel outgo would person to beryllium precocious for the bid to screen its costs," 1 net idiosyncratic speculated.

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A information of the backing for the caller fleet comes from the national Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Amtrak has said.

The rollout follows Amtrak’s debut of its NextGen Acela trains connected the Northeast Corridor successful 2025, reflecting a broader effort to modernize aging instrumentality crossed its nationalist network.