Amtrak Cascades Airo trains debut Sept. 30 in the Pacific Northwest

Key Points:

• Amtrak Cascades passengers in the Pacific Northwest will be the first in the U.S. to ride the new Airo trains starting September 30, with two new trainsets making four daily trips between Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene.
• The rollout of Airo trains will continue through early 2027, eventually replacing existing Amfleet and Talgo trainsets with a total of eight new trainsets, featuring technical upgrades for faster service and improved passenger comfort.
• The new trains, manufactured by Siemens Mobility, offer enhanced amenities including more comfortable seats, larger accessible bathrooms, upgraded cafe cars, individual power outlets, USB-C chargers, larger tray tables, and dedicated cup and tablet holders.
• Officials highlight the significance of the new trains for the region, with Oregon's interim transportation director noting record ridership and hopes for a modern, accessible rail system, while the Federal Railroad Administration calls it Amtrak’s largest fleet replacement in 50 years.
• Amtrak initially ordered 73 Airo trainsets nationwide and added 10 more due to high demand, with plans to introduce these trains on other routes as production continues.