VIRGINIA — Amtrak has unveiled visuals of its newest train — Amtrak Airo — which will debut in 2026 on routes throughout the country, including Amtrak’s Virginia Services.
“As we invest in the future, Amtrak is leading the way with a new era of rail,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Our new trains will transform the Amtrak experience with significant environmental benefits, a progressive design, and world-class amenities.”
The goal of these new trains is to promote comfort and efficiency. Amtrak hopes to achieve this with what it calls elevated experience — more room and better views for passengers. The new trains are also designed to have a greener impact and reduce travel times.
The new trains have redesigned café cars, clearer signage, spacious seating, business class seating options, and amenities such as enhanced lighting, improved technology with digital customer information systems and touchless restroom controls, dedicated individual outlets, USB ports, and onboard Wi-Fi.
“Service from the Commonwealth and destinations from DC to Boston will be faster and more enjoyable with Amtrak’s new dual-powered locomotives and equipment designed with the passenger in mind,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. “Amtrak’s investment in this new top-of-the-line equipment mirrors our plans to provide our passengers with the most exceptional state-supported rail service possible.”
According to Amtrak, the new trains are in response to strong customer demand, part of a larger transformation that will revolutionize the Amtrak experience, including the new Acela trains. Amtrak’s move to the future also includes major infrastructure projects, service expansion, station upgrades, modernization efforts, and improved track capacity along the Northeast Corridor.
“Americans deserve modern, safe, reliable passenger rail service, and introducing brand new rail cars is a major step towards improving the daily experience of commuters and travelers who depend on Amtrak,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “This year, FRA provided nearly $4.3 billion in annual funding to support these improvements, and with President Biden’s historic investments in Amtrak, we’re poised to make intercity passenger rail an even more efficient, convenient, and accessible mode of travel for Americans.”
A share of Amtrak’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding will support the procurement of Amtrak Airo, which will be manufactured by Siemens in California.
Find more information about Amtrak Airo on its official Amtrak webpage.
