SEATTLE — Amtrak began the rollout of its next-generation Airo passenger trains with the arrival of the first Amtrak Cascades trainset in Seattle on Saturday. The trainset is expected to begin carrying passengers this fall after additional testing, route familiarization, and crew training.
The Amtrak Cascades route connects Eugene, Oregon; Portland; Seattle; and Vancouver, British Columbia. Eight new Airo trainsets are planned for the corridor, part of a nationwide program to deploy 83 trainsets over the coming years. The remaining trainsets will be phased into service through early 2027.
"This is the first place in the United States where these new trainsets are going to be deployed," said Kirk Fredrickson, an Amtrak Cascades spokesperson. The Airo trains are designed to replace rail cars that have been in service for decades on several passenger rail routes.
The nationwide fleet modernization program will include deployment on the Northeast Regional, Empire Service, Virginia Services, Keystone Service, Downeaster, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield Service, Palmetto, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express, and Adirondack routes.
"Amtrak doesn't get new equipment very often," said Mike Bergman, a retired transit planner and train enthusiast. Each Airo trainset has about 300 seats and will increase passenger capacity by nearly 50%.
The trains can travel at speeds of up to 125 mph and produce 90% less particulate emissions in diesel operations compared to previous models. The new trainsets also include larger panoramic windows, more spacious seating, upgraded ADA seating, larger accessible restrooms, and USB-C charging ports at every seat.