Amtrak to launch Airo trains on Cascades route this fall

Amtrak is preparing to launch its new Airo trainsets, starting with the Cascades route connecting Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, BC, this fall. Designed by Siemens, these trains feature dual-mode electric and diesel propulsion, allowing them to operate on both electrified and non-electrified tracks without locomotive swaps.

The Airo trains are designed for higher capacity and speed, capable of carrying up to 317 passengers and reaching speeds of 125 miles per hour. Amtrak plans to deploy eight Airo trains to the Cascades corridor by 2026, with a broader long-term goal of introducing over 83 new trains across New England, Pennsylvania, and the Mid-Atlantic regions.