# Amtrak Launches Airo Trainsets in Pacific Northwest

Amtrak has placed its first two U.S.-built Airo trainsets into service on the Cascades route, serving Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene. The fleet order comprises eight trainsets, two locomotives, and a spare cab car, supported by $3.5 billion in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) investments. The remaining trainsets are scheduled to enter service through early 2027, replacing the existing Cascades fleet. The deployment reflects an active passenger-rail modernization program, not a newly announced solicitation; the fleet uses components from nearly 100 suppliers across 31 states.

- **Why this matters:** The rollout demonstrates federal investment in domestic passenger-rail manufacturing and fleet replacement, with a broad multistate supplier base.
- Rail equipment manufacturers and suppliers can use the program’s scale and supplier footprint as market context when evaluating future passenger-rail work; the signals do not identify an open bid opportunity.
- Maintenance and service providers may find fleet transition and ongoing support relevant as additional trainsets enter service through early 2027.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) (Amtrak)

### Vendors
- Siemens Mobility (manufacturer)

### Key Quotes
> These new American-made Airo trainsets represent Amtrak’s most significant fleet replacement program in 50 years. Supported by $3.5 billion in FRA investments and powered by cutting-edge technology, this new fleet will substantially reduce maintenance downtime and eliminate delays for passengers.
> — David Fink, FRA Administrator

> 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.
> — Byl Herrmann, Amtrak Interim President

> This rollout represents hundreds of American jobs that poured countless hours into building trainsets that commuters and tourists will enjoy across the Pacific Northwest for decades to come.
> — Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

### Sources
- [Trump’s Transportation Department Celebrates Launch of Amtrak’s All-New Airo Trainsets in Pacific Northwest | FRA](https://railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/communications/newsroom/press-releases/trumps-transportation-department-celebrates-1) - DOT
- [Trump’s Transportation Department Celebrates Launch of Amtrak’s All-New Airo Trainsets in Pacific Northwest | FRA](https://railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/communications/newsroom/press-releases/trumps-transportation-department-celebrates-launch) - DOT