Amtrak’s new Airo trainsets debuted in the Pacific Northwest recently.
The railway said two cutting-edge Airo trainsets will join the Amtrak Cascades route, operating four daily trips between Vancouver, B.C.; Seattle, Wash.; and Portland and Eugene, Ore. The addition will mark the first time the Airo trains have been used in passenger service anywhere in the United States. More Airo trainsets are expected to enter the service, Amtrak said, and will continue to expand across the route until they replace the existing fleet.
“The arrival of the new Airo fleet marks an exciting moment for the Amtrak Cascades and passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest,” Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann said. “After extensive planning, design, manufacturing and testing, we’re excited to welcome customers aboard. This is an important milestone not only for Amtrak Cascades customers, but for Amtrak’s broader effort to modernize and expand passenger rail across the country.”
The new trains were specifically designed for the Pacific Northwest and features the signature Amtrak Cascades color theme of evergreen, cream and mocha, along with design elements inspired by the Cascade Mountains. The trains include more than 300 seats per trainset and a range of features designed to make trips more comfortable including ergonomic-designed seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and USB-C ports, improved accessibility and refreshed food and beverage offerings.
“Amtrak’s Airo trainset was developed for today’s travelers, with a focus on comfort, connectivity and convenience—a testament to Amtrak’s dedication to improving and expanding services nationwide,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said. “This 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.”