Amtrak will replace its long-distance rolling stock with a standardised single-deck fleet, abandoning its previous double-deck procurement and preparing a new tender for passenger vehicles.
All long-distance services will transition from the current mixed formation of double-deck and single-deck vehicles to a uniform single-deck platform. Amtrak stated that standardisation is intended to reduce programme risk, widen competition among manufacturers and accelerate the replacement of vehicles, many of which have been in service for more than 40 years.
The first new long-distance vehicles are planned to enter service in the early 2030s. Amtrak will shortly issue a new request for proposals and, following contract award, agree a detailed delivery schedule with the selected manufacturer. The existing double-deck tender will be cancelled.
The operator will continue to monitor the technical condition and residual life of the existing fleet and define any life-extension measures required to maintain safe and reliable operation until the new vehicles are commissioned.
The long-distance fleet renewal forms part of Amtrak’s broader rolling stock modernisation programme. To date, 79 of 125 Siemens ALC-42 locomotives for long-distance services have been delivered. The new Acela high-speed trainsets entered commercial service on the Northeast Corridor last year, while the Airo trainsets are due to commence operation on the Cascades corridor in 2026, followed by deployment on Northeast Regional and other state-supported routes.
