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| Last updated on August 6, 2025
The first of 83 train sets will travel from California to Pueblo, Colo., for testing
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Amtrak today shared photos of the first Airo train set being prepared to leave the Siemens assembly plant in Sacramento.
The set will head to Pueblo, Colo., for testing before eventually making its revenue debut in Cascades service sometime in 2026.
Amtrak has ordered 83 of the train sets, which will replace single-level equipment in the Pacific Northwest and on regional services on the East Coast.
Looking at the seats I don’t see any evidence they recline. I don’t understand the reasoning behind it. Gives me no desire to ride the train if I can’t recline.
Looking closely at the backs of the seats, i see a small gap on either side of the seatback that suggest the seats recline. It would be surprising (even for Amtrak) if they do not recline.
God I hope they improved the seats from what they delivered to Amtrak Midwest. One THEE reasons to ride a train (vs. any other mode) is COMFORT.
The seats on the Horizon cars are horrible. The airlines (with vastly more passengers then Amtrak) have learned how to make comfortable seats. On an airplane you only get a few millimeters of space but the seat itself is comfortable.
Since this is basically the same equipment that’s been in service for years on Brightline, VIA Rail, Midwest and California, why the need to go to Pueblo?
Are the cars on the Airo trains compatable with the new Siemens cars used in the Midwest and on Brightline? Amtrak seems to have a knack for buying equipment that is neither visually or operationally compatible.
Tables are very bad news in a crash as rail passengers do not use seat belts
And the continued imposition of 50% rear seating. While I personally don’t mind riding backwards, most Americans don’t like it. Another excuse to avoid the train-“buses and planes and automobiles don’t have me looking backwards “…….
No care or thought given to the consumer.
Americans are. getting used to riding backwards I don’t mind it at all and it’s safer in a crash
No we aren’t Charles. We hate it. And I need to add that these “quick turn” trains like on the NEC and Keystone routes are not getting cleaned and serviced and the restrooms are disgusting . . . absolutely REEK!
lets hope that the tests at Pueblo go on without a hitch. then that train set can be refurbished at Sacramento quickly and shipped to cover the Cascades.
Looking at the size and room given for those seats along with the upscale appearance the trip cost would have to be high for the train to cover its costs.
Well done! It happened at last… One of the key elements of Amtrak in the future.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Why did they put horse blinders on the seats?
But are there any tables in the cafe car?
Are these cars blessed with better, more comfortable seats that the earlier “Venture” cars from Siemens? This will be really important on longer runs like the MAPLE LEAF, VERMONTER, CAROLINIAN, PALMETTO and PENNSYLVANIAN.
You realize these are questions no one can yet answer, right?
If it’s like the Railjet cafe cars, then there will be a few booths behind the sales counter, but with the expectation that most people would bring the food back to their seats. Which is what most people do anyways on those routes.
I doubt Amtrak wants a full dining car on anything other than the long distance western routes.
I think the cafe is to mainly provide snacks, since the service is more regional than the cross-country routes. I believe on the midwest routes they say most people don’t travel the full trips as the justification.
Since these new Airo café cars will have self-service zones, they will need to be equipped with seats.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün