All aboard Amtrak’s sleeker, cleaner new trains
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- Amtrak begins deploying 83 new Airo trainsets this fall, starting with eight on the Cascades route between Seattle and Portland, aiming to reduce trip times and boost capacity.
- Airo trains, built by Siemens in the U.S., feature dual electric and diesel propulsion, allowing seamless transitions between electrified and non-electrified tracks without locomotive swaps.
- Virginia Passenger Rail Authority says the new trains will improve reliability for riders on routes between Virginia and the Northeast, where current engine changes cause up to hour-long delays at Union Station.
- Siemens manufactures the Airo trains in the U.S., which meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards, significantly cutting particulate matter and nitrogen oxide compared to older models.
- All Aboard Washington leader Charlie Hamilton says the Airo trainsets could enable hourly rail service in the Pacific Northwest, a key goal for regional rail advocates.
- Amtrak's $8 billion fleet upgrade follows a historic $66 billion federal investment in rail via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with $2 billion allocated specifically for new train purchases.
Why it matters: The Airo rollout directly improves travel efficiency and environmental performance on key corridors, particularly benefiting Virginia and Pacific Northwest riders through reduced delays and expanded service. With 83 new trainsets funded by $2 billion in federal support, this marks a material shift in passenger rail capacity and modernization after decades of stagnation.
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