Amtrak opens Airo trainset maintenance facility in Seattle

Amtrak today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new $250 million maintenance and inspection facility in Seattle, designed to support the new Airo fleet that debuted on the Cascades route last month.

The facility, which was constructed on time and $50 million under budget, will open in phases through the end of 2026. The nearly 100,000-square-foot building features three tracks for inspecting, servicing and performing heavy maintenance on a full trainset, Amtrak officials said in a press release. The Seattle site is the fist of six major facilities that will support Airo trainsets.

Specialized equipment in the facility includes a drop table and split rail system, an overhead bridge crane, a monorail crane, sanding system and diesel exhaust system. The new facility continues Amtrak's long-term investment in the Seattle Rail Yard, officials added.

"This new facility represents a major step forward for Amtrak and our customers in the Pacific Northwest," said Amtrak Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason. "By providing our teams the modern tools and space to maintain an entire Airo trainset at once, we can work more efficiently while continuing our commitment to safe, reliable and comfortable service for the next generation of Amtrak Cascades customers.”