Amtrak has sent a Request for Information to potential suppliers defining and describing the scope of Amtrak’s overnight train fleet.
The fleet includes Superliner I & II, Viewliner I & II and Amfleet II railcars. As part of the RFI, Amtrak solicited input from manufacturers regarding the replacement of this equipment.
As part of this effort, Amtrak is also researching design elements and customer amenities to evolve overnight and cross-country train travel in the coming decades.
“This represents the final phase in our long-term plan to replace our trains—beginning with new Acela equipment and continuing with the Amtrak AiroTM trains announced last month,” Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia said. “We believe in the future of our Long Distance service and we look forward to enhancing the customer experience across the Amtrak network, and further supporting U.S. manufacturing.”
The existing fleet of overnight railcars has been delivered to Amtrak over the course of 40 years—with the first of more than 800 cars entering service in 1979. According to Amtrak officials, most of the equipment in the current fleet will approach the end of its service life after the next decade.
Last year, Amtrak ordered 125 new diesel-electric locomotives, primarily for use on Long Distance routes. Over the last two years, Amtrak has invested $580 million toward $1.75 billion in accessibility improvements at Amtrak stations—largely along these routes.
Additionally, Amtrak dedicated $28 million to refresh railcars in the current overnight fleet, aiming to bridge the future fleet’s arrival.
