Amtrak has commenced major construction work at its King Street Yard in Seattle as part of a multi-year infrastructure project to modernise train maintenance operations ahead of the arrival of its new Airo trains in 2026.
The project involves building a nearly 100,000-square-foot facility designed to support maintenance for the forthcoming Amtrak Airo fleet and existing long-distance services operating in and out of Seattle, including the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder routes. The facility is expected to be completed in 2027.
Speaking during a visit to the site, Amtrak President Roger Harris noted the importance of the Pacific Northwest to the company’s broader service network.
Amtrak President Roger Harris said:The Pacific Northwest is a key priority for Amtrak, with the popular Amtrak Cascades line between Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, B.C. and points in between, as well as our Long Distance Coast Starlight and Empire Builder trains connecting the region. This critical investment will help us meet growing customer demand for a new era of rail with brand new trains that will upgrade safety, reliability, and comfort.
The King Street Yard redevelopment includes a new two-bay Maintenance and Inspection facility, along with a separate Service and Cleaning bay. Together, these additions aim to enhance operational capacity and streamline maintenance procedures.
Early works began shortly after the construction contract was awarded in summer 2024, with crews carrying out building and equipment relocations and grading the site for pile driving. Amtrak expects to complete foundational work and excavation by the end of 2025, with the steel structure scheduled to go up in early 2026.
The Seattle upgrade is one of several similar projects underway across the United States. Rail yard improvements are in progress in Philadelphia, while contracts have been awarded for facilities in Boston and Washington, D.C. Procurement and planning are ongoing in New York City and Rensselaer, New York.
The new Airo trains will be formed of integrated trainsets, rather than individual railcars, requiring changes to existing maintenance regimes. Amtrak states that the yard upgrades will help create a more consistent and efficient servicing model across multiple regions.
The Airo fleet is set to launch on the Amtrak Cascades route between Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, B.C., in 2026.
