Amtrak has announced a revised strategy to replace its long-distance passenger railcars, outlining a shift towards a standardised single-level fleet across all routes and the cancellation of a previous procurement focused on bi-level trains.

The publicly funded operator said the decision followed an internal assessment of operational challenges linked to running a mixed fleet of single- and bi-level rolling stock. The review also drew on feedback from manufacturers and findings from a joint study with the Federal Railroad Administration.

Under the new approach, Amtrak plans to seek bids from suppliers for a universal single-level design intended for use on all long-distance services. The move is aimed at simplifying maintenance and operations, widening competition among potential manufacturers and reducing risks associated with the procurement process.

Amtrak will issue a formal request for proposals in the near future and confirmed that the earlier bi-level procurement will be cancelled. Following a supplier selection, the company expects to finalise delivery schedules with the chosen manufacturer.

This new approach will deliver a more consistent and accessible customer experience across the Amtrak network while maintaining our commitment to introduce the first new long-distance cars in the early 2030s. Thanks to support from FRA Administrator David Fink and the entire Federal Railroad Administration team, Amtrak’s long-distance fleet replacement is moving forward more effectively and efficiently than originally planned.

Many of Amtrak’s long-distance railcars currently in service were delivered more than four decades ago. The operator said it will continue to monitor the condition of the existing fleet and consider life-extension measures to maintain safe operations until replacement vehicles enter service.

The long-distance car programme forms part of a broader fleet modernisation effort. Amtrak is taking delivery of ALC-42 diesel locomotives for long-distance routes, with 79 of 125 units reported as delivered. The company also introduced NextGen Acela trainsets on the Northeast Corridor last year and plans to deploy its Airo train fleet on the Cascades service starting in 2026, before expanding to other short- and medium-distance routes.

With these new cars, Amtrak will finally replace its ageing fleet and provide American travellers with the world-class rail service they deserve, helping usher in Secretary Duffy’s vision for a new Golden Age of travel. These new cars won’t just benefit American train passengers, but workers too by supporting good paying domestic manufacturing jobs.