Amtrak’s Rolling Stock: By The Numbers
There’s been much talk about Amtrak’s plans for new routes, higher speeds, and greater frequencies. However, the upgraded route service isn’t the only change breathing new life into Amtrak. Overall, the US passenger rail service is getting a major face lift. On both short and long distance routes; Amtrak is unveiling an upgraded, reinvigorated design inside and out.
Upgraded Acela Fleet
These visual enhancements all start on Amtrak’s most efficient and most busy service, their Northeast Corridor. Specifically, in partnership with French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom; Amtrak’s Acela trains are getting an interior revamp. In Acela’s business class upgraded amenities include; tray tables with a new and sleek design, complimentary WIFI, as well as new and improved headrests with side-rests for 180 degree comfort while sleeping. Technology on the ride has also improved with new features such as; an advanced seat reservation system; as well as onboard service information system providing location, train speed, and conductor announcements. These blue Business Class seats will offer more comfort in the form of more ample leg and luggage room, in addition to the usual personal outlets, USB outlets, and adjustable reading lights for each seat.
The service’s First Class seating, distinguished by the red chairs, include the aforementioned upgraded seating comforts. As well as, more overall space and legroom and personal tray tables that can remain open or closed independent from one’s neighbor. Acela’s cafè car is also getting a makeover in the form of more convenient food services including; self-select and check-out option, standing room with hip rests, electric outlets, digital screen displaying announcements and other information, and an increase in the number of recycling receptacles. These physical changes to Acela's Cafè Car are all on top of Amtrak’s upgraded menu items.
Amtrak Airo
Inside Amtrak’s rolling stock enhancement report is a quote from the company’s president, Roger Harris.
“As we build to support the soaring demand for train travel, Amtrak Airo is creating jobs even before the trains are on the track.”
By this Amtrak’s President means the production of the new trains boosting business nationwide as manufacturing for them ramps up. Amtrak is collaborating with German railway transportation company, Siemens Mobility, to bring the US its next generation of rolling stock. The Amtrak Airo. However, don’t let the German name fool you. The Airo has its center of production at Siemens’ Sacramento facility, with 16 suppliers in the state of California providing over 2,000 individual parts. Better yet, over 3,500 parts from an additional 100 suppliers spanning 31 states have been have further been sourced throughout production of the train. In all, Amtrak has purchased an initial 73 trains, as well as an additional 10 more due to ridership numbers exceeding expectations this past year.
Amtrak Airo Coach Cars
The Amtrak Airo features a modern, spacious interior complimenting the enhanced panoramic windows. An enhanced comfort experience awaits with plenty of legroom, big and sturdier tray tables, movable headrests, and a dedicated cup and seat-back tablet-holder. Similar to the upgraded Acelas; the Airo offers more complimentary food service options, as well as your choice of double and single seats in Business Class. Amenities with greater accessibility are also offered including; onboard passenger lifts, increased accessible spaces, and enhanced audible and video messaging that takes great care to improve the traveling experience for all passengers.
Regardless, this doesn’t take away from the Airo's efficiency. Boasting speeds up to 125mph while offering a seamless transition between power sources where otherwise time-consuming locomotive changes were previously needed. This seamless transition of power sources makes for a greener impact, as 90% less particulate emissions in diesel operations can be expected during service. Finally, to no surprise, the improved tech on board includes; enhanced lighting, added digital information systems for passengers, dedicated water hydration stations, touchless restroom controls, dedicated individual outlets, USB ports, and new 5G enabled WiFi round out the new and updated aspect of the upcoming Amtrak Airo. Currently, 83 units are ordered by Amtrak with a scheduled release of 2026 set to roll the trains out across the US. According to Amtrak, the services/routes expected to initially run the new Airo train include;
Empire (NYC-Niagara Falls, NY)
Keystone (NYC-Harrisburg, PA)
Downeaster(Boston-Brunswick, ME)
Cascades (Vancouver, BC-Eugene, OR)
Maple Leaf (Toronto-NYC)
Adirondack (Montrèal-NYC)
Palmetto (NYC-Tampa/Miami)
Carolinian (NYC-Charlotte, NC)
Pennsylvanian (NYC-Pittsburgh, PA)
Vermonter (Washington DC-St. Albans, VT)
Ethan Allen Express (Burlington, VT-NYC)
New Haven, CT-Springfield, MA-Greenfield, MA Route
All Virginia Services (Richmond-Newport News-Norfolk-Roanoke)
Northeast Regional Services
…Including all Virginia Services and Northeast Regional Services. Impressively, NYC has a terminus in 9 out of the 14, just over 64% of the routes.
Amtrak’s Long-Distance Fleet
Indeed, the big boy routes are also getting much needed replacement cars. Of the 14 Amtrak overnight services, half of them are opening submissions for new car proposals. Currently, ten manufactures have submitted ideas on replacement railcars on routes including;
Auto Train (Washington DC-Orlando, FL)
California Zephyr (Chicago-San Francisco)
Coast Starlight (Seattle, WA-LA)
Crescent (NYC-Atlanta-New Orleans)
Empire Builder (Chicago-Seattle)
Southwest Chief (Chicago-Kansas City-LA)
ALC-42 Phase VII 309-0679
For many of these iconic services haven’t had a replacement in their overnight rolling stock in around four decades. It all began at the end of 2022 when a request for information was sent to potential suppliers defining and describing the scope of Amtrak’s overnight train fleet. Replacements of the long-distance running Super I and II, Viewliner I and II, and Amfleet II railcars are in order. Furthermore, in 2022, Amtrak ordered 125 new diesel-electric locomotive primarily for use on overnight routes with $580 million invested specifically for this long-distance rolling stock. All current overnight equipment has been dedicated $28 million to refresh railcars in the current overnight fleet aiming to bridge the future fleets arrival and make for smoother transition for the customer experience.
Works Cited //
https://media.amtrak.com/introducing-amtrak-airo/
https://www.amtrak.com/about-amtrak/new-era/fleet-projects/amtrak-airo.html
https://www.amtrak.com/about-amtrak/new-era/fleet-projects.html
https://media.amtrak.com/2023/06/amtrak-applies-for-federal-grants-to-improve-long-distance-network/
