Amtrak is planning to replace the 40-50 year old Amflee I train cars used on their cross-country routes with new Airo train cars, which are set to debut in 2026.

Amtrak released renderings of the trains cars which are being manufactured by Siemens Mobility in California, on Dec. 14th. The railway company has said that the trains will operate at speeds up to 125 mph while producing 90% less particulate emissions when running on diesel. Seventy-three out of the 83 new locomotives will be hybrid– operating on diesel and electric power.

"As we invest in the future, Amtrak is leading the way with a new era of rail," Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. "Our new trains will transform the Amtrak experience with significant environmental benefits, a progressive design and world-class amenities."

Higher speeds are meant to reduce wait times while offering passengers enhanced amenities including "more contemporary food service" which includes self-service dining options. The new trains, which can run up to 10 cars long, will also offer choices of double and single seats, enhanced lighting, touchless restroom controls, and larger tray tables.

The Amtrak Airo will include onboard Wi-Fi and update features that are already present in the current cars including increasing the number of USB ports and installing more accessible color-coded signage. Panoramic windows and adjustable headrests are also expected to be a part of the new design.

The updated car designs come after Amtrak unveiled their high-speed Acela trains which will launch along the Northeast corridor in late 2023.

The Airo trains will run along the busy Northeast Regional route as well as the Empire Service, Virginia Services, Keystone Service, Downeaster, Amtrak Cascades, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield Service, Palmetto, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express and Adirondack routes across the country.

Over $7.3 billion in funding for the new trains was procured from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with aims to create jobs, increase accessibility, and compete with leading high-speed rails in Europe and Japan.