Amtrak Cascades Debuts First of 8 Airo Trainsets in Seattle as Capacity Jumps Nearly 50%
Updated
Updated · KING5.com · May 16
Amtrak Cascades Debuts First of 8 Airo Trainsets in Seattle as Capacity Jumps Nearly 50%
6 articles · Updated · KING5.com · May 16
Seattle received the first next-generation Amtrak Cascades Airo trainset on Saturday, launching a fleet upgrade that is set to begin carrying passengers this fall.
Eight Airo trainsets will replace decades-old rail cars on the Eugene-Portland-Seattle-Vancouver, B.C., corridor, with the rest entering service through early 2027.
Each train will offer about 300 seats—nearly 50% more capacity—plus panoramic windows, upgraded ADA seating, larger accessible restrooms and USB-C charging at every seat.
Amtrak Cascades carried about 600,000 riders last year, and officials said demand is being lifted by Interstate 5 and airport congestion as well as higher fuel prices.
The Cascades route will be the first in the United States to deploy Amtrak's new Airo equipment, part of a nationwide rollout of 83 trainsets.
With new trains boasting panoramic windows and more space, will a ride on the Amtrak Cascades soon cost travelers more?
Amtrak's new trains are capable of 125 mph. What's preventing them from reaching top speed in the Pacific Northwest?
As new trains arrive, some argue for buses instead. Is this massive rail investment the right choice for the region's future?
Amtrak Cascades Welcomes First Airo Trainset: Launching an $8 Billion National Rail Modernization in Seattle
Overview
On May 16, 2026, the first next-generation Amtrak Cascades Airo trainset arrived in Seattle, marking a major milestone for passenger rail. This event signals the start of a comprehensive modernization for the Cascades route and a broader transformation of the nation’s rail system. The new trainset will undergo important test runs and staff training in the Pacific Northwest to ensure it is fully prepared for service. Rail advocates highlight the profound importance of this arrival, as it represents a key step in Amtrak’s efforts to modernize and improve passenger rail across the country.