Amtrak's Siemens-built Airo fleet enters service in Pacific Northwest
The first Siemens-designed and -manufactured Airo trainsets have entered passenger service for Amtrak Cascades in the Pacific Northwest, connecting Washington and Oregon. This marks a milestone in the national fleet renewal program for Amtrak.
S. rail modernization as the new Airo fleet entered passenger service and began its first journey in the Pacific Northwest. Amtrak Cascades passengers will be the first in the nation to ride the Siemens-designed and -manufactured trainsets, starting a nationwide rollout aimed at modernizing service across the country. The fleet is part of Amtrak's national renewal program, which includes 83 trainsets with modern amenities, enhanced accessibility and intelligent digital systems.
The Buy America-compliant trainsets are being built in Siemens’ California and North Carolina facilities and draw on nearly 100 suppliers across 31 states. In 2021, Siemens Mobility was selected to design, manufacture and technically support Amtrak's newest train fleet under its largest contract. Siemens Mobility's North American history now includes the Airo program, which covers 83 trainsets, 86 Charger locomotives and 576 passenger coaches aimed at changing travel between communities across the United States.
Tobias Bauer, chief executive of Siemens Mobility North America, said the launch marks the point when a long-term investment in American passenger rail becomes real for travelers. He said Airo combines American manufacturing, decades of global rail expertise and digital technology in a fleet built for the future. Starting September 30, two Airo trainsets will operate four daily trips for Amtrak Cascades, linking Seattle, Portland and Eugene. More trainsets will be added through early 2027, with the goal of eventually replacing the current Amtrak Cascades fleet.
The trains were designed for the Pacific Northwest and will carry the route's evergreen, cream and mocha colours, along with design features inspired by the Cascade mountain range. Amtrak Interim President Byl Hermann said the company is ready to begin welcoming passengers after extensive planning, design, manufacturing and testing. He called the launch a key step for Amtrak Cascades riders and for Amtrak's wider effort to modernize and expand passenger rail nationwide. The Airo fleet is being built through Siemens Mobility manufacturing operations in Sacramento, California, and Lexington, North Carolina.
S. supply chain. The trainsets include modern interiors, ergonomic seating and onboard connectivity, along with automated boarding solutions, onboard passenger lifts, accessible seating and enhanced audible and visual messaging. Amtrak also said the fleet uses next-generation propulsion and braking technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and support smoother operations.
Integrated wireless communications, remote monitoring and digital diagnostics are intended to give real-time performance insights, support predictive maintenance and improve reliability. The Amtrak Cascades launch is the first step in the national Airo rollout, with future trainsets planned for the Northeast Regional and other state-support routes through 2030. Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG and says it has been a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years. Its core businesses include rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, a software portfolio, turnkey systems and related services.
The company says digital products, industrial AI and related solutions are helping mobility operators worldwide make infrastructure intelligent, raise lifecycle value, improve passenger experience and ensure availability. In fiscal year 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of. 4 billion and around 43,400 employees worldwide. S.
subsidiary of Siemens AG, with operations focused on industry, infrastructure, transportation and healthcare. Siemens said it aims to combine the real and digital worlds to help customers accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable and transportation more sustainable. It said it is a leader in industrial AI and applies AI, including generative AI, to real-world applications for customers across industries. Siemens also said it owns a majority stake in Siemens Healthineers, a publicly listed global medical technology provider.
S. and more than 50,000 employees serving customers in all 50 states and Puerto. com.