When was the last time you traveled overnight on Amtrak? Chances are you were underwhelmed by the train’s dated aesthetic. We get it: a majority of the company’s long-distance trains have been in service since 1979! But that’s all about to change as Amtrak takes its first formal steps to replace its overnight trains in four decades.
More than 10 manufacturers submitted their ideas on replacement railcars for Amtrak’s long-distance network, which services 14 overnight routes from coast to coast. The company is “looking for new trains that improve safety, reliability, accessibility, and efficiency while offering the features our customers believe are most important to modernizing overnight train travel for the 21st century,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia.
In addition to updating the fleet’s equipment and design elements, Amtrak is also looking into “customer amenities to evolve overnight and cross-country train travel in the coming decades.” Presumably as technology advances, so will the experience on board.
So, what’s next? Issuing a formal procurement request, which Amtrak plans to do later this year. Overhauling overnights is “the final phase in our long-term plan to replace our trains,” said Coscia. Travelers can expect new equipment on Acela trains, including dedicated USB ports, as well as comfier seats and larger, panoramic windows on the new Amtrak Airo trains, which the company announced last month. Funds for the upgrades come from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill, in case you're wondering who's footing the massive bill.
“We believe in the future of our Long Distance service and we look forward to enhancing the customer experience across the Amtrak network,” added Coscia. Now, how long until espresso martinis are available on board? Asking for a friend.