Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced his support of Amtrak’s announcement of a revised long-distance fleet replacement strategy that prioritizes fleet standardization, broadens competition among potential carbuilders, reduces program risk, and accelerates the replacement of its aging passenger cars. Under this plan, all long-distance routes will transition to a universal single-level fleet, replacing today’s mix of bi-level and single-level equipment.
This proposal would support Amtrak’s station in Erie, Pennsylvania along the Lake Shore Limited line connecting New York City and Boston to Chicago. Last month, Rep. Kelly wrote a letter of support for Amtrak’s project.
“The Erie Amtrak station serves as a great halfway point on the Lake Shore Limited line, connecting New York City and Chicago, along with other major cities along the way. This new fleet will serve passengers not only from Northwest Pennsylvania, but across the Great Lakes and Northeast corridors. It’s a valuable addition to Amtrak’s service into and out of Erie,” said Rep. Kelly.
Amtrak’s announcement, which came Thursday, reflects extensive analysis of the challenges associated with operating a hybrid fleet. It also incorporates industry feedback received during the previous request for proposals on new bi-level trains, along with findings from a joint Amtrak-Federal Railroad Administration review that identified the most effective path forward.
“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,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “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.”
“With these new cars, Amtrak will finally replace its aging fleet and provide American travelers with the world class rail service they deserve, helping usher in Secretary Duffy’s vision for a new Golden Age of travel,” said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steve Bradbury. “These new cars won’t just benefit American train passengers, but workers too by supporting good paying domestic manufacturing jobs.”
“The FRA stands ready to work with Amtrak on behalf of President Trump and Transportation Secretary Duffy to update Amtrak’s aging passenger rail fleet with modern American made cars,” said FRA Administrator David Fink.
“These cars have carried the country for more than 40 years. It’s long-past time to replace them. Issuing this new Request for Proposals is about not only reliability for passengers but about continuing the steady rebuilding of America’s passenger-rail manufacturing base that we’ve seen with the Airo fleet and the NextGen Acela. When we maintain that momentum, we don’t just buy trains: we rebuild capability and set the stage for creating the world-class service all of us want and that American passengers deserve,” said Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews.
BACKGROUND
Amtrak will soon issue a formal request for suppliers to bid on the new long-distance fleet replacement contract and cancel the bi-level procurement. Once a selection is made, Amtrak will work closely with the selected car builder to finalize the delivery schedule to replace our long-distance aging fleet.
Many of Amtrak’s current long-distance railcars were delivered more than 40 years ago. Amtrak will continue to evaluate the condition of the existing fleet, assess remaining service life, and determine any life extension measures necessary to ensure safe and reliable operations until the new long-distance fleet enters service.
Procurement of new long-distance passenger cars represents one piece of Amtrak’s broader systemwide fleet modernization program. Amtrak continues to receive new high-powered ALC-42 locomotives for long-distance service, with 79 of 125 units delivered to date. New NextGen Acela trains launched last fall on America’s only high-speed rail corridor, and the new Airo fleet will begin service on Amtrak Cascades in 2026, followed by the Northeast Regional and other short- and mid-distance routes in the coming years.