Amtrak is making moves in a positive direction by taking major steps to improve their overnight cross-country train travel by issuing a large-scale, formal request to railcar manufacturers to begin th replacement of Amtrak’s current Long Distance fleet. With the help of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and similar bipartisan support for infrastructure throughout Congress. Amtrak’s President, Roger Harris has made it clear that this new fleet will allow Amtrak to modernize and introduce an updated product that meets current and future market expectations for this century. This will hopefully allow for an easier time understanding and improving customer relations/experience and accessibility throughout Amtrak’s services and stops in the US and Canada. As I have talked multiple times about Amtrak’s recent plans for route expansion; I wanted to focus mostly on Amtrak’s rolling stock improvements. Though, since there is a definite correlation between state of equipment and state of ridership. I might as well brief you about the various other plans for Amtrak’s arc of improvement.

The numerous efforts of improvement that Amtrak is embarking on is designed to promote both, long term and short term growth. Growing in the quality, affordability, accessibility of Amtrak’s service while also expanding the route selection on the overall system. Enhanced service, at least in the near term, is centered on long distance service improvements. We’ve already talked about the Amtrak route improvements in the form of the creation of new routes, increased intercity frequency, and lowered headways; which is the measure of time between service at a given stop. In addition to the service improvements, Amtrak is matching their improved route service with an improvement in onboard dining options. In 2021, Amtrak began the process of updating and adding more dining options to both their cafe car and traditional dinner menus. In total, eight long distance route now offer this upgraded menu. Amtrak’s stops aren’t left out of investment either. An initial investment of $800 million has brought full ADA compliance to 119 Amtrak stations. Moreover, seven major metropolitan lounges have received upgraded seating and improved amenities. Chicago’s Union Station, specifically, will be the focal point of various infrastructure projects to help improve capacity. Courtesy of the forthcoming Chicago Hub Improvement Program (CHIP). Capacity improvements, in turn will help improve station efficiency; which in turn will (hopefully) help improve the passenger’s experience and overall ridership. Digitally, Amtrak has also improved the customer’s experience with better delay notification services, new accommodation upgrade options, and an updated user ticketing interface among others.

Siemens ALC-42 Long Distance Locomotive, Chicago, IL

After decades and decades of infrastructural and degradation of political will; it seems Amtrak has finally found a strong enough financial, political, and social motivation. The long underfunded, underused National Railroad Passenger Corporation is investing into what Amtrak’s President called, “a once-in-a-generation opportunity.” Investing in the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the industry by purchasing 125 ALC-42 Long Distance locomotives. A very major addition to the more than three dozen ergonomic, US-built long-distance ALC-42 locomotives that are currently serving on the rails. These units are replacing Amtrak’s General Electric-built “Genesis” P40 and P42 electro-diesel locomotives. Additionally, Amtrak is investing in United States built assets, including the ALC-42s built at Siemens' Mobility’s rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, California. Furthermore, Cummins is manufacturing their QSK-95 engines for said locomotive over in Seymour, Indiana. These are only two nodes in a US-driven manufacturing network that consists of eight facilities, which includes more 4,000 employees and 2,000 US suppliers.

Amtrak Superliner 'Empire Builder', Winona, MN. 2022

Rolling stock refurbishments have also gotten an uptick in investment funds. Interior upgrades to 400 bi-level Superliner and 49 Viewliner cars are ongoing. Currently, as of writing, nearly 200 Superliner cars have been refreshed and are now in revenue service. Furthermore, the similar Viewliner car refurbishment and recommissioning program is set to begin in 2024, with Amtrak projecting 63 once-decommissioned, idling railcars back in service by the end of 2024, according to Amtrak’s website. To not belabor this post but turning it into me geeking out on locomotive specs; I’ve included more information and specs on the equipment being invested in at the bottom of this article for all you train nerds.

Amtrak Viewliner 'Silver Service', Wilmington, DE. 2021

Along with federal funds coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill; specifically, Amtrak’s long distance services are getting an extra boost in ridership. Across Amtrak’s long distance service ridership grew by more than 12% between October 2022 and September 2023, serving nearly 3.9 million customer trips. Rail Passengers Association President & CEO, Jim Mathews went on to say about the news, "Designers, suppliers, and the traveling public have all been waiting for a long time for this exciting news. Issuing this RFP (Request for Proposals) kicks off what will be the biggest rolling stock acquisition since the 1940s, when the New York Central turned to three manufacturers for a blockbuster order for more than 700 cars,” In many metrics, the scale of this investiment is not only great monetarily, but also it could be a pivotable moment for the US passenger rail industry as a whole. Putting funds back on the table for the passenger. As Amtrak continues to modernize and increase accessibility, ease, and affordability for the average traveler. I am hopeful, by Amtrak taking this opportunity to invest primarily in its long distance services. The service will cast a wider passenger net, as well as create a better and more viable service for more people. The ultimate goal being that one day, the overall system naturally creates, and once again, allows inter-city passenger rail to become and facilitate a sustainable, safe, and efficient way to move across the US. Again, more details on Amtrak’s equipment investment and acquirement are listed below. Thanks for reading!

Amtrak Service & Rolling Stock Investments & Improvements //

Siemens ALC-42 Long Distance Locomotive

%22Day One Run%22 Amtrak 'Empire Builder', ALC-42, Marias Pass, MT. 2022.jpeg

Siemens ALC-42 Long Distance Locomotive #309, Siemens HQ, CAjpeg.jpeg

Specs

125mph (201km/h) maximum operating speed
Powered by a 4,200-horsepower (3,100 kW) Cummins QSK-95 16 cylinder prime mover
Equipped with a SCR (selective catalytic reduction) emissions control gear (for eco-friendliness)

A total of 125 ALC-42s purchased for $2 billion under multiyear contract with Siemens Mobility

2018: initial order of 75 units
2022: additional order of 50 units

2022: locomotive debuts service on Amtrak’s ‘Empire Builder’ route

Bi-level Superliner & Viewliner Car Upgrades

Amtrak Viewliner 'Silver Service', Wilmington, DE. 2021.jpeg

Amtrak Superliner 'Empire Builder', Winona, MN. 2022 .jpeg

$28 million investment into interior upgrades on 400 bilevel Superliner and 49 Viewliner cars

2020: improvied Viewliner II Sleeping cars debut with improved luggage storage, lighting, more electrical outlets, and larger tray table
2024: Viewliner I Sleeping Cars will get treated to new seat cushions, upholstery, carpeting, curtains, LED lighting, and tables
Newly designed ADA accommodating bathrooms added to 23 Superliner I Coach cars

As of Summer 2023, over 100 Superliner cars have been refreshed
Amtrak projects, by the end of 2024, 63 various once-idled railcars will be back in service

Upgraded Dining & Enhanced Onboard Amenities

2021: Long distance route dining menu improvements and updates

Service available on 8 long distance routes; including the recently added Silver Meteor and Silver Star routes

An upgraded Amtrak dining car menu

Including improvements on hot meals, snacks, salads, sandwiches, ‘lite bites’, vegan options, and new non-alcoholic beverage options

Station Stop Improvements

$800 million invested into bringing full ADA compliance to 119 stations

All Amtrak stations projected to be ADA compliant by 2029

7 metro metropolitan station lounges have received upgraded seating and refreshments
development of Chicago’s Union Station to increase capacity including; various infrastructure updates and boarding area expansion

Customer Service & Passenger Experience

Improved route status communication with timely status updates
Improved re-accommodation options and service recovery measures (travel vouchers and loyalty points)
200 new ADA-compliant ticketing kiosks in over 150 Amtrak stations

Amtrak Long Distance Routes