Amtrak Bringing New Trains To Maine As Part Of Upgraded Fleet

If you're a frequent passenger of the Amtrak Downeaster, some big changes are on the way. According to CNBC, Amtrak is investing 7.3 billion dollars in a variety of upgrades for their fleet, including substantial upgrades to their fleet in the northeast. The new trains will be American-made, more environmentally-friendly and feature new amenities for passengers.

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Currently, most of Amtrak's fleet features trains that are 40 to 50 years old. The modernized trains will enable Amtrak to continue to compete as other forms of travel offer more amenities and comfort to consumers. The new trains will feature more comfortable seating, individual power outlets as well as USB ports perfect for personalized mobile devices. In addition to those improvements, all trains will be fitted with onboard wifi, navigation displays and better lighting. For those that consistently travel on the Amtrak Downeaster, this is welcome news.

With the investment in the new trains in place, they just have to be built, shipped and then added to the fleet. California-based Siemens won the contract to manufacture the trains for Amtrak but did not offer a firm timetable as to when travelers in New England can expect to see the modernized trains hit the rails.

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Source: Amtrak Bringing New, Modernized Trains To Maine As Part Of Upgraded New England Fleet