Amtrak unveils new Airo trains to replace older trains

On Thursday, Amtrak released details of the new Airo trains, which will operate on cross-country routes starting in 2026.

Routes include Amtrak 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.

It is said that trains will replace 50 year old rolling cartAccording to the Washington Post.

“As we invest in the future, Amtrak is leading the way with a new era of rail,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. “Our new trains will transform the Amtrak experience with significant environmental benefits, advanced design, and world-class amenities.”

According to the company, Amtrak’s “future” will include panoramic windows, speeds of up to 125 miles per hour, self-serve dining options, route finding with a color-coded system, enhanced comfort with roomier seating, improved lighting, improved technology and a greener impact.

The new trains are more fuel efficient and produce 90% fewer particulate emissions than diesel operations.

The new trains are part of a “larger transformation” that Amtrak said will “revolutionize” its experience, including new Acela trains, major infrastructure projects, service expansion, station upgrades, modernization efforts and improved track capacity along the Northeast Corridor.

A share of Amtrak’s Infrastructure and Jobs Investment Act (IIJA) funding will support the purchase of the Airo trains, which will be manufactured by Siemens of California.

“Americans deserve modern, safe, and reliable commuter train service, and the introduction of new rolling stock is a major step toward improving the daily experience for commuters and travelers who rely on Amtrak,” said Amit Bose, director of the Federal Rail Administration.

“This year, the FRA provided nearly $4.3 billion in annual funding to support these improvements, and with President Biden’s historic investment in Amtrak, we are ready to make intercity commuter rail a more efficient, convenient, and accessible way of travel for Americans,” he added.