A new era of contemporary rail travel is being ushered in by Amtrak.
The rail corporation has revealed key features of its brand-new, cutting-edge Amtrak Airo trains, which are scheduled to begin service on the Northeast Corridor between North Carolina and New York in 2026.
According to Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams, the sleek new trains will usher in "an upgraded experience" for passengers, ushering in "a new age of modern train travel."
At a press conference held at Moynihan Train Hall in New York City, Amtrak President Roger Harris stated that these cutting-edge new rail cars combine "sustainable transportation, world-class design, and modern amenities" and are a "move toward progress and change for Amtrak," along with the renovated post office building that houses Moynihan Train Hall, from which Amtrak trains to and from New York City depart and arrive.
The first pictures of the regional trains feature brand-new, gleaming carriages with ergonomically built, dove grey seats with dark blue adjustable headrests, plenty of legroom, and space for luggage.
Every seat has a cupholder and a tablet holder thanks to the modern, light, and clean design.
One new feature that stands out is the ability for passengers to "enjoy some of the most stunning views in the country" thanks to panoramic windows, according to Harris.
Redesigned cafe cars are another noteworthy improvement, where customers will find more self-service alternatives and "modern" food selections.
The introduction of Amtrak Airo, according to Janet Ho, assistant commissioner for the New York Department of Transportation, has the state particularly excited because it will "help revitalize the passenger experience both in New York and across the nation with greater ADA accessibility as well as enhanced at seat amenities."
The hybrid-engine trains will also emit no emissions when traveling through New York's tunnels, she continued, in keeping with the environmental programs of the city.
The new Acela trains, which will debut in 2023 and have a top speed of 160 miles per hour, will be faster than the new hybrid engines.
These high-tech trains will, however, save time on longer trips since they will be able to travel the entire corridor without changing engines, which is currently necessary to go from regularly used electric engines to the diesel required in more remote locations.
This changeover will be easy thanks to the new environmentally friendly hybrid engines, which will also reduce the time needed to switch engines by around 25 minutes.
The Adirondack, Carolinian, Cascades, Downeaster, Empire, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, and Virginia services are only a few of the new regional trains' routes.
The new fleet of 83 multipowered contemporary trains will be produced by California-based Siemens Mobility.
According to Harris, the first vehicle should be finished by 2025 in order to launch in 2026, and the entire fleet is anticipated to be fully online by 2031.
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