WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak pulled the curtain back this month on the first trainset in its forthcoming Airo fleet, using Union Station as a stage to preview what the railroad says is a major step forward in comfort, accessibility, and onboard technology. The showcased equipment was configured for the Amtrak Cascades corridor in the Pacific Northwest, where Airo trains are slated to enter service first—linking Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, B.C., and Eugene, Oregon.
The event signals a tangible milestone in Amtrak’s broader fleet modernization push, aimed at replacing decades-old corridor equipment with trainsets designed around today’s expectations: dependable Wi-Fi, plentiful power outlets, easier boarding, and interiors that feel more like a modern intercity environment than a “refreshed” version of the past. Amtrak leadership and partners highlighted Airo as a foundational piece of that transformation, with 83 Airo trainsets planned nationwide in the coming years.
Why Cascades is first—and what happens next
Amtrak says the first Airo trainsets will debut on Amtrak Cascades, with eight trainsets planned for the route and manufacturing expected to wrap up in 2026. In parallel, Amtrak’s rollout plan points to the Northeast Regional as the next major landing spot, with production and testing ramping in 2026 and revenue service targeted for 2027.
Rail industry coverage has noted that the first Cascades Airo set has already been involved in testing—starting at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado, and later on the Northeast Corridor, ahead of broader deployment.
The trainset at a glance: Airo’s core specs
While “Airo” is the brand Amtrak is using for the fleet, the equipment is built around Siemens Mobility’s Venture passenger cars and Charger locomotives, configured as a bidirectional trainset (locomotive on one end, cab control car on the other)…