Some people get a Corvette during a midlife crisis. Amtrak is getting new trains.
The public-private train company unveiled the more sustainable, spacious and upgraded train sets at a Thursday press conference in Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan. The 83 new trains, which will replace 40- and 50-year-old fleets, will debut on 14 routes, including the Northeast Regional, Empire Service, Pennsylvanian and Ethan Allan Express, in 2026.
“As we invest in the future, Amtrak is leading the way with a new era of rail,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Our new trains will transform the Amtrak experience with significant environmental benefits, a progressive design and world-class amenities.”
These new trains, which are being purchased from California-based Siemens for $7.3 billion, will not go considerably faster than the current ones, maxing out at 125 mph. Also, some speed limitations are contingent on signals and crossings, the older and less reliable of which require locomotive engineers to slow down.
The new Acela trains, which were supposed to hit the rails in spring 2021, are delayed until fall 2023 because of production issues and rigorous testing requirements for the higher-speed trains, which will reach 160 mph, according to The Washington Post.
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New trains, which will be welcome additions for passengers returning to travel and as Amtrak sees growing numbers of new customers post-pandemic, should help improve service. But better service, especially on its most popular Northeast Corridor, will also require Amtrak to address its backlog of 115 capital projects that will cost $117 billion, including the more than $30 billion in Gateway projects that affect service into New York Penn Station.
Other routes that will benefit from the new trains in 2026 are: Virginia Services, Keystone Service, Downeaster, Cascades, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield, Palmetto, Carolinian, Vermonter and Adirondack.
Here are the details of some of the state routes:
Northeast Regional
Multiple trips along the Northeast Corridor with stops that include Boston; Providence; Springfield, Massachusetts; Hartford; New York; Newark; Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. It continues through the following stops in Virginia: Roanoke, Richmond, Norfolk, Newport News and Virginia Beach.
Empire Service
Travels between New York City, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
Adirondack
This line offers service from New York City through the Hudson Valley and Albany to Montreal.
Ethan Allen Express
Daily service from New York City to Vermont through the Hudson Valley and Albany.
Keystone
“Frequent” daily service between New York City and Harrisburg by way of Philadelphia.
Pennsylvanian
Daily service between New York City and Pittsburgh, with stops in Trenton, Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
