Amtrak Takes Step to Replace Long-Distance Fleet

Amtrak said this week it has taken the first step toward replacing rolling stock now used on its 14 long-distance routes.

The passenger carrier said it has contacted rail car builders to seek expressions of interest on bidding on a contract for replacement equipment for the aging Superliner and Amfleet equipment used on those trains. Some of that equipment dates to the late 1970s.

Some single-level trains have Viewliner sleepers and food service cars that were built within the past decade.

Amtrak described the requests for expressions of interest as a first formal step in a years-long process.

It expects to release a formal request for proposals later this year.

Tags: Amtrak, Amtrak rolling stock, Amtrak Superliners, New Amtrak equipment