All aboard Amtrak’s sleeker, cleaner new trains
The $8B Airo fleet promises cleaner, more reliable service as passenger rail enjoys record ridership — and faces an uncertain future in Washington.
Amtrak is set to unveil nine sleek, environmentally-friendly Airo trainsets this fall, starting with eight on the Cascades route between Seattle and Portland. With six major stops along the way, the Seattle to Portland journey currently takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes both by car and train. The Airo trains, built by Siemens and equipped with both electric and diesel engines, will boost speeds to 125 mph, cut trip times, and carry up to 317 passengers, compared to the current Cascades rolling stock.
These new trains will also enhance reliability and comfort, potentially allowing for hourly service, a boon for All Aboard Washington's vision. Amtrak's $8 billion investment aims to reduce emissions and improve rider experience across multiple routes, including Northeast routes where Airo trains debut in 2027. Despite the Trump administration proposing significant cuts to passenger rail funding, the Biden administration has allocated $3 billion, including $2 billion for train purchases.
The Airo trains meet the EPA's Tier 4 emissions standards, significantly reducing particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions.
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