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Amtrak’s new Airo train will make its revenue-service debut on September 30 in the Pacific Northwest, giving passengers on the Cascades route a first taste of the future of American passenger rail.
The Siemens-built Airo trainsets represent one of the largest investments in intercity passenger equipment on Amtrak’s national network in a generation. The trains will eventually serve nearly all state-supported routes, particularly in the Eastern United States. The Cascades route between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., is getting eight trainsets, each with an ALC-42E locomotive and six Siemens Venture cars, including one cab car. Two trainsets are currently ready to enter service on the Cascades route. Additional trains are expected to enter service in the Pacific Northwest in 2027, followed by Northeast Regional trains late next year.
According to Amtrak, the trainsets will regularly appear on northbound trains 516 (Seattle to Vancouver, departing at 8:30 a.m.) and 508 (Eugene to Seattle, departing at 4:30 p.m.), and southbound trains 503 (Seattle to Eugene, departing at 7:10 a.m.) and 519 (Vancouver to Seattle, departing at 4:45 p.m.).
“When the first Airo trainsets welcome passengers later this month, it will mark the start of a journey that extends far beyond the Pacific Northwest,” said Tobias Bauer, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America. “Airo represents the next level for American passenger rail, built on a proven platform that combines innovation, comfort, and accessibility. Designed and assembled in the USA, as this fleet expands nationwide, its impact will be measured not only by new technology, but by the millions of passenger journeys it makes possible.”
Siemens Venture cars, along with its Charger locomotives, have become the new standard for North American passenger service; in recent years, Brightline, VIA Rail and Ontario Northland have all adopted the Siemens trainsets. Amtrak has also used Venture cars on its Midwest and California services.
The debut of the new Airo trainsets comes as Amtrak struggles to keep its aging fleet of passenger cars rolling, some of which entered service nearly 50 years ago. The Airo trains will eventually replace the Amfleet cars that have been a staple on the passenger railroad since the 1970s. The trains will also replace Amtrak’s Horizon cars, many of which were pulled from service last year after corrosion issues were discovered. After inspections, some Horizon cars returned to service, but many of Amtrak’s state-supported trains have been operating at reduced capacity, including the Cascades. The new Airo trains entering service in the Pacific Northwest will have capacity for more than 300 passengers. Additionally, the trains have ergonomically designed seating, panoramic windows, enhanced lighting, complimentary high-speed internet and a refreshed cafe car experience.
“These new Amtrak Cascades trains are a game-changer for rail travel in the Pacific Northwest,” said WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith. “They bring improved reliability, comfort, and amenities to one of the most scenic rail corridors in the country. We’re particularly excited to be the first in the nation to introduce these new trains into service.”
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The Siemens-built Airo trainsets represent one of the largest investments in intercity passenger equipment on Amtrak’s national network in a generation. The trains will eventually serve nearly all state-supported routes, particularly in the Eastern United States. The Cascades route between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., is getting eight trainsets, each with an ALC-42E locomotive and six Siemens Venture cars, including one cab car. Two trainsets are currently ready to enter service on the Cascades route. Additional trains are expected to enter service in the Pacific Northwest in 2027, followed by Northeast Regional trains late next year.
According to Amtrak, the trainsets will regularly appear on northbound trains 516 (Seattle to Vancouver, departing at 8:30 a.m.) and 508 (Eugene to Seattle, departing at 4:30 p.m.), and southbound trains 503 (Seattle to Eugene, departing at 7:10 a.m.) and 519 (Vancouver to Seattle, departing at 4:45 p.m.).
“When the first Airo trainsets welcome passengers later this month, it will mark the start of a journey that extends far beyond the Pacific Northwest,” said Tobias Bauer, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America. “Airo represents the next level for American passenger rail, built on a proven platform that combines innovation, comfort, and accessibility. Designed and assembled in the USA, as this fleet expands nationwide, its impact will be measured not only by new technology, but by the millions of passenger journeys it makes possible.”
Siemens Venture cars, along with its Charger locomotives, have become the new standard for North American passenger service; in recent years, Brightline, VIA Rail and Ontario Northland have all adopted the Siemens trainsets. Amtrak has also used Venture cars on its Midwest and California services.
The debut of the new Airo trainsets comes as Amtrak struggles to keep its aging fleet of passenger cars rolling, some of which entered service nearly 50 years ago. The Airo trains will eventually replace the Amfleet cars that have been a staple on the passenger railroad since the 1970s. The trains will also replace Amtrak’s Horizon cars, many of which were pulled from service last year after corrosion issues were discovered. After inspections, some Horizon cars returned to service, but many of Amtrak’s state-supported trains have been operating at reduced capacity, including the Cascades. The new Airo trains entering service in the Pacific Northwest will have capacity for more than 300 passengers. Additionally, the trains have ergonomically designed seating, panoramic windows, enhanced lighting, complimentary high-speed internet and a refreshed cafe car experience.
“These new Amtrak Cascades trains are a game-changer for rail travel in the Pacific Northwest,” said WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith. “They bring improved reliability, comfort, and amenities to one of the most scenic rail corridors in the country. We’re particularly excited to be the first in the nation to introduce these new trains into service.”
—Justin Franz
The post Amtrak’s Airo Trains to Enter Service September 30 appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.
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