Amtrak will introduce its new Airo trainsets into passenger service on the Amtrak Cascades route on 30 September. The first two trainsets will operate four daily services between Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle, Portland and Eugene, Oregon.
The launch will make Amtrak Cascades the first route in the US to operate the new Airo trains. Further trainsets are scheduled to enter service through early 2027, eventually replacing the existing Amtrak Cascades fleet.
Amtrak has ordered eight Airo trainsets for the route, alongside two new locomotives and a spare cab car.
The Airo trains operating on Amtrak Cascades have been designed with a colour scheme reflecting the existing service, using evergreen, cream and mocha tones. Elements of the interior and exterior design are also influenced by the Cascade mountain range.
Each trainset will have more than 300 seats, with features including adjustable headrests, panoramic windows, updated lighting and redesigned interiors. Passengers will have access to complimentary Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and USB ports, as well as digital information displays.
Accessibility features include dedicated accessible seating, automated steps, improved wayfinding and six restrooms with touchless controls.
The onboard café will also offer food and drinks with a Pacific Northwest focus.
Initial Airo Services
Two trainsets will operate four daily trips from 30 September.
Northbound
Train 516: Seattle to Vancouver, BC — 08:30–12:30
Train 508: Eugene to Seattle — 16:30–22:50
Southbound
Train 503: Seattle to Eugene — 07:10–13:48
Train 519: Vancouver, BC to Seattle — 16:45–21:10
The introduction of the new trains will be phased, with additional Airo trainsets joining the service as they become available.
Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann said:The arrival of the new Airo fleet marks an exciting moment for the Amtrak Cascades and passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest. After extensive planning, design, manufacturing and testing, we’re just weeks away from welcoming customers aboard. This is an important milestone not only for Amtrak Cascades customers, but for Amtrak’s broader effort to modernise and expand passenger rail across the country.
The Amtrak Cascades deployment is the first stage of a wider introduction of Airo trains across Amtrak’s network. The next planned deployment is on the Northeast Regional. The first Airo trainset for that service has completed production and entered testing, with service currently planned for late 2027.
Unlike the Cascades trains, which use a Pacific Northwest-specific design, Airo trainsets for other routes will use Amtrak’s red, white and blue branding.
The trains are being manufactured in the US by Siemens Mobility. The programme involves nearly 100 suppliers across 31 states.
As more Airo trainsets enter service, Amtrak plans to use the fleet to replace older trains on routes across the country.
