Amtrak has ordered 10 more Amtrak Airo trainsets, bringing the total contract order to 83. The new trainsets will be manufactured by Siemens in California and are scheduled to debut in 2026.
The Amtrak Airo trainsets are designed to provide a more comfortable and sustainable travel experience. The trains will also be more fuel efficient, producing 90% less particulate emissions in diesel operations.
The new fleet will operate on routes throughout the country, including the Northeast Regional, Empire Service, Virginia Services, Keystone Service, Downeaster, Cascades, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield Service, Palmetto, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express, and Adirondack.
Amtrak President Roger Harris said the new trainsets are "part of a larger transformation that will revolutionize the Amtrak experience." He added that the new trains will "help us get people where they need to go, while reducing road and air congestion, creating jobs, and supporting the American economy."
The Amtrak Airo trainsets are being funded by a share of Amtrak's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding. The IIJA is a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that was passed by Congress in November 2021.
The new trainsets are a major step forward for Amtrak as the company strives to modernize its fleet and improve its service. In addition to the Amtrak Airo trainsets, Amtrak is also planning to purchase new Acela trains, expand service on existing routes, and upgrade stations as it contends with the growing demand for rail travel in the United States.
The Acela model which is being developed and built by Alstom is due to enter service across the Northeast corridor in 2024 and is part of a $2.5 billion investment . The Acela trains are expected to reach speeds of 160 kilometres per hour once in service.
Alongside the introduction of the Acela and Airo models, Amtrak announced in January that it planned to purchase new trains as it looks to replace its current fleet of night-trains. Amtrak runs 14 overnight train routes across the country currently.
Photo and Video Credit: Amtrak
