First new train arrives for Amtrak Cascades, linking Vancouver, Seattle and Portland | Daily Hive

First of eight new trains arrives for Amtrak Cascades service linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland

Arrival of the first new Siemens Venture (Airo) trainset for Amtrak Cascades in Seattle on May 16, 2026. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

The very first of eight new generation trainsets dedicated to the Amtrak Cascades arrived in Seattle this past weekend.

These much-anticipated trains will provide a brand-new, modern fleet for the interregional passenger rail service linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland.

Amtrak’s version of the Siemens Venture train — also in use by VIA Rail on the Toronto-Quebec City corridor and Brightline in Florida — has been given the name “Airo,” and the new trains specifically for Amtrak Cascades are also a subvariant of the broader Airo model.

You might also like:

As previously reported by Daily Hive Urbanized, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) had hoped to have some of these new trains in service in time for Vancouver and Seattle’s roles in hosting the FIFA World Cup, which begins in mid-June 2026.

However, these new trains will not be ready in time for the tournament, when there could be increased travel between the two host cities.

WSDOT has now noted that the first new trains will enter service in Fall 2026, when two new trainsets will be put into operation. The regular use of these trains can begin when the first three new trains have completed testing, along with the training of onboard staff and mechanical crews.

The dedicated new fleet for Amtrak Cascades also entails two new locomotives and a spare cab.

amtrak cascades siemens venture airo train may 16 2026

Arrival of the first new Siemens Venture (Airo) trainset for Amtrak Cascades in Seattle on May 16, 2026. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amtrak Cascades (@amtrak_cascades)

The first new trainset that has now arrived in Seattle will begin testing on the Pacific Northwest rail corridor. Siemens began the manufacturer’s testing process of the first trainsets in Colorado last year.

As of this month, four of the eight new trainsets for Amtrak Cascades have left the Siemens factory in Sacramento, California. Amtrak Cascades is the very first Amtrak route to benefit from the U.S.-wide network order of 73 new Airo trainsets.

For years, there has been a critical need to prioritize Amtrak Cascades’ fleet replacement, made even more evident by the sudden decision and resulting service impacts in March 2025 to pull the entire fleet of aging Horizon cars out of service due to their poor and unsafe condition. Within days, Amtrak restored services by deploying a temporary replacement fleet of Amfleet I trains that operate on the Empire Builder route from Chicago.

Each new train features the Amtrak Cascades’ familiar evergreen, cream, and mocha Cascades colour scheme, now paired with modern graphics of the Cascade Range mountains across every car.

amtrak cascades new trains testing july 2025

Amtrak Cascades’ first new train on the way for initial testing, July 2025. (Hudson Sheats)

Amtrak Cascades’ first new train on the way for initial testing, July 2025. (WSDOT)

Amtrak Cascades’ first new train on the way for initial testing, July 2025. (Hudson Sheats)

amtrak cascades siemens venture airo train

The new Siemens Venture (Airo) trainset for Amtrak Cascades. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

Over 300 seated passengers can be accommodated in each train.

Beyond capacity, the new fleet promises to significantly elevate the passenger experience with a mix of modern amenities and regional touches.

Bigger windows and additional table seating are designed to showcase the Northwest’s scenic landscapes, while upgraded seating offers an ergonomic design with larger tray tables, cushioned headrests, water bottle holders, and integrated tablet stands.

Passengers will benefit from modern upgrades such as personal outlets, USB ports, free Wi-Fi, enhanced lighting, digital displays, automated boarding steps, a complimentary touchless drinking water dispenser, and touchless restroom features.

A redesigned cafe car will serve local beers, wines, and spirits alongside Northwest-inspired food, with new self-service options for added convenience.

The trains will also feature improved environmental performance, offering greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

The new Siemens Venture (Airo) trainset for Amtrak Cascades. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

WSDOT previously told Daily Hive Urbanized that Pacific Central Station — the northernmost terminus of Amtrak Cascades, situated on the edge of Downtown Vancouver — is in need of station platform upgrades to optimally handle the brand-new fleet of trains. Such upgrades would need to be funded by the Canadian government.

Currently, during optimal conditions, the entire Amtrak Cascades train journey between Pacific Central Station and Eugene, Oregon, is about 10 hours and 30 minutes, including just over three hours for the segment between Vancouver and Seattle.

An old Amtrak Cascades train in the Grandview Cut, with the Downtown Vancouver skyline in the background. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

You might also like: