Brand-new trains are finally on the horizon for Amtrak passengers, but travelers hoping to ride them to major sporting events will need patience. The next generation Airo trainsets are scheduled to make their broader debut in 2026, missing the window for the FIFA World Cup hosted across North America.

That said, the rollout begins sooner. Later this year, eight new Airo trainsets will enter service on the Amtrak Cascades corridor, which links Eugene and Portland in Oregon with Vancouver, British Columbia, the northern terminus of the line. The route serves some of the Pacific Northwest’s most important cities, including Seattle, Centralia, Olympia, Tacoma, Everett, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham.

The Airo trains will replace the aging Talgo Series 8 fleet and introduce a range of modern features aimed at improving the passenger experience. Onboard screens will display real-time speed, upcoming stops, and connection information, while automated boarding steps are designed to improve accessibility at stations with mixed platform heights. Restrooms have also been updated with touchless controls, aligning the new trains with current hygiene standards.

In terms of performance, the Airo closely mirrors its predecessor. The new trainsets are capable of reaching speeds of up to 125 mph, compared with the Talgo Series 8’s design speed of 124 mph. However, on the Cascades corridor, trains are limited to a maximum operating speed of 79 mph due to track conditions and the need to share infrastructure with freight traffic.

The Cascades introduction is just the first phase of a much larger modernization effort. Amtrak plans to deploy a total of 83 Airo trainsets nationwide, with future service planned for the Northeast Regional and other high-profile routes. While the timing means fans will not be riding these trains to World Cup matches, the Airo program marks a significant step in renewing intercity rail travel across the United States.