USA: Amtrak’s first two Airo push-pull trainsets entered passenger services on the Cascades route in the Pacific Northwest on September 30.
The new trainsets supplied by Siemens Mobility are scheduled to operate four daily services between Vancouver in Canada, Seattle, Portland and Eugene.
‘After extensive planning, design, manufacturing and testing, we’re excited to welcome customers aboard’, said Byl Herrmann, who became the national passenger operator’s Interim President on August 1. ‘This is an important milestone not only for Amtrak Cascades customers, but for Amtrak’s broader effort to modernise and expand passenger rail across the country.’
Intercity Trainsets contract
In 2021, Amtrak awarded Siemens Mobility the Intercity Trainsets framework contract covering the supply of 200 km/h rolling stock, a 23-year technical support and spare parts agreement and the provision of new or upgraded maintenance facilities.
Amtrak has so far ordered 83 Airo trainsets to replace 40 to 50-year-old vehicles used on medium-distance inter-city services, and has options for up to 130 more to support growth.
Eight Airo trainsets have been ordered for the Cascades service, along with two locomotives and a spare driving car. Additional trainsets will enter service through to early 2027, ultimately replacing the existing Cascades fleet.
The trainsets are being manufactured in the USA using components from nearly 100 suppliers across 31 states. ‘Airo brings together American manufacturing, decades of global rail expertise and intelligent digital technology to create a fleet built for the future’, said Tobias Bauer, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America.
Inspired by the region
The trainsets for the Pacific Northwest feature the Cascades evergreen, cream and mocha colour palette, with design elements inspired by the Cascade mountain range. The food and drink offerings are also locally inspired.
The modern interiors feature ergonomically designed seating with adjustable headrests, large windows, enhanced lighting and wi-fi, individual power outlets and USB-C ports and digital customer information displays. There are automated steps, enhanced wayfinding and six spacious toilets with touchless controls.
‘These new Amtrak Cascades trains are a game-changer for rail travel in the Pacific Northwest’, said Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith. ‘They bring improved reliability, comfort and amenities to one of the most scenic rail corridors in the country. We’re particularly excited to be the first in the nation to introduce these new trains into service.’
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Airo ‘was developed for today’s travellers, with a focus on comfort, connectivity and convenience — a testament to Amtrak’s dedication to improving and expanding services nationwide’. The rollout ‘represents hundreds of American jobs that poured countless hours into building trainsets that commuters and tourists will enjoy across the Pacific Northwest for decades to come’.
The next planned Airo deployment will be on Northeast Regional services, where the first trainset is now on test ahead of the launch in late 2027. Future Airo trains will feature Amtrak’s national red, white and blue branding.
Source: rg
