Amtrak to Roll Out 83 New Airo Trainsets Across U.S. Routes
Amtrak is set to introduce 83 new Airo trainsets, beginning this fall with eight trains on the Pacific Northwest's Cascades route. These new trains, part of an $8-billion investment, will eventually serve over a dozen routes, including those in New England, Pennsylvania, and the Mid-Atlantic region. The Airo trains are designed to reduce trip times, enhance reliability and comfort, and can reach speeds of up to 125 mph. The Cascades trains, for example, will carry 317 passengers, a significant increase from current capacity. A key feature of the Airo trains is their dual propulsion system, allowing them to operate on both electric and diesel power, which will particularly benefit routes like the Northeast Regional by eliminating the need to swap locomotives when transitioning between electrified and non-electrified sections, such as south of Washington, D.C.
