Overview
- Amtrak, which issued a formal request for proposals Wednesday, invited manufacturers to bid on its largest long-distance car order to date.
- The program covers more than 800 railcars for 14 cross-country routes and was developed in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration.
- All long-distance lines would shift to a universal single-level fleet to simplify operations, broaden supplier competition, and reduce program risk.
- Amtrak plans to pick a supplier by the end of 2027, and several outlets report the first new trains are likely to arrive in the early 2030s based on that timeline.
- Passengers are promised modern seating, upgraded private rooms, improved dining, and updated onboard amenities, with long-distance routes linking big cities to small towns that lack other options.