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Airo Trains Make Their Amtrak Cascades Debut in the Pacific Northwest

Effective immediately, two cutting-edge Airo trainsets will join the Amtrak Cascades route, operating four daily trips between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, Oregon, marking the first introduction of Airo trains into passenger service anywhere in the country.

Alex Roman
Alex RomanExecutive Editor
Read Alex's Posts
September 30, 2026
An Amtrak Airo trainset on the Cascades line

Designed specifically for the Pacific Northwest, the new trainsets feature the signature Amtrak Cascades evergreen, cream, and mocha color palette, along with design elements inspired by the Cascade mountain range.

Credit:

Amtrak

3 min to read


  • Amtrak has introduced two new Airo trainsets to the Amtrak Cascades route, offering four daily trips between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, Oregon.
  • The Airo trainsets represent the first use of this new train model in passenger service within the United States.
  • The introduction of Airo trains is part of Amtrak's broader strategy to modernize and expand its rail services nationwide.

*Summarized by AI

Amtrak is welcoming customers aboard its all-new Airo trainsets as a new era of passenger rail arrives in the Pacific Northwest.

Effective immediately, two cutting-edge Airo trainsets will join the Amtrak Cascades route, operating four daily trips between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, Oregon, marking the first introduction of Airo trains into passenger service anywhere in the country.

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As additional Airo trainsets enter service, they will continue to expand across the route, ultimately replacing the existing fleet.

“The arrival of the new Airo fleet marks an exciting moment for the Amtrak Cascades and passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest,” said Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann. “After extensive planning, design, manufacturing, and testing, we’re excited to welcome customers aboard. This is an important milestone not only for Amtrak Cascades customers, but for Amtrak’s broader effort to modernize and expand passenger rail across the country.”

What to Expect

Designed specifically for the Pacific Northwest, the new trainsets feature the signature Amtrak Cascades evergreen, cream, and mocha color palette, along with design elements inspired by the Cascade mountain range.

Inside, customers will find more than 300 seats per trainset and a range of features designed to make every trip more comfortable, convenient, and connected, including:

  • Enhanced comfort: Ergonomically designed seating with adjustable headrests, panoramic windows, enhanced lighting, and modern interiors.
  • More ways to stay connected: Complimentary Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and USB-C ports, and digital customer information displays.
  • Improved accessibility: Accessible seating and features throughout the train, automated steps, enhanced wayfinding and six spacious restrooms with touchless controls.
  • A refreshed Cafe experience: Food and beverage offerings inspired by the Pacific Northwest.
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Manufactured in the U.S. by Siemens Mobility, Airo trainsets incorporate components from nearly 100 suppliers across 31 states, supporting American manufacturing and jobs.

"This is more than the debut of a new train, it’s the moment a once-in-a-generation investment in American passenger rail becomes real for travelers,” said Tobias Bauer, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America. “Airo brings together American manufacturing, decades of global rail expertise, and intelligent digital technology to create a fleet built for the future.”

Part of a Bigger Transformation

Amtrak has ordered eight Airo trainsets for Amtrak Cascades, along with two new locomotives and a spare cab car. Additional highlights of Amtrak’s coming transformation include:

  • Additional trainsets will enter service through early 2027, ultimately replacing the existing Amtrak Cascades fleet.
  • Amtrak Cascades is the first route in the nation to introduce Airo into passenger service.
  • The next planned Airo deployment is on the Northeast Regional, where the first trainset has completed production and begun testing ahead of a planned service launch in late 2027.
  • Future Airo trains will feature Amtrak’s national red, white, and blue branding while maintaining the defining features and customer-focused design of the fleet.

Quick Answers

The introduction of the Airo trainsets marks a new era of passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest as they are the first Airo trains in passenger service anywhere in the country, modernizing and enhancing the Amtrak Cascades route.

*Summarized by AI

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