Amtrak has formally begun the procurement process for what is expected to be its largest order of long-distance trains, marking a significant step in the renewal of its ageing fleet.
The US passenger rail operator has issued a request for proposals to train manufacturers, inviting bids for a contract to replace railcars used on overnight and cross-country services. Suppliers are now preparing submissions, with a final selection expected by the end of 2027.
Amtrak has started the procurement process for its largest-ever Long Distance train order
© Amtrak
The programme has been developed in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and is intended to modernise services that currently rely on equipment approaching 50 years in operation. Amtrak plans to procure more than 800 new railcars to serve 14 long-distance routes across the United States.
These routes form part of the national transport network, connecting major cities with smaller towns and rural areas. The replacement programme is designed to support these links while improving reliability and consistency across services.
Under the proposed strategy, the new fleet will consist of a standardised, single-level design. This will replace the current mix of single-level and bi-level carriages, a change intended to simplify maintenance and operations, while also widening the pool of potential manufacturers able to compete for the contract.
This strategy was set out in a revised plan announced earlier this year, which saw the cancellation of a previous procurement focused on bi-level trains.
The procurement forms part of a wider fleet modernisation effort. Amtrak has already been introducing new locomotives, including the Siemens ALC-42 Charger, with 79 of 125 units delivered so far for long-distance services.
In addition, new high-speed trains under the Acela programme entered service on the Northeast Corridor last year. The forthcoming Airo trainsets are also scheduled to begin operations on regional routes from summer 2026, with further deployment planned across short- and medium-distance services.
These developments indicate a phased approach to renewing Amtrak’s rolling stock, with the long-distance fleet replacement representing one of the largest components of the programme.