Amtrak has begun major construction works at its King Street Yard in Seattle to build a nearly 100,000-square-foot maintenance facility, which will support the introduction of its next-generation Airo trains and improve overall service in the Pacific Northwest.
The project marks a significant step in Amtrak’s modernisation efforts, with the new facility set to handle the upkeep of Amtrak Cascades services and long-distance routes including the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. The new trains are expected to begin service in 2026, with the upgraded yard due to be completed in 2027.
“The Pacific Northwest is a key priority for Amtrak,” said Roger Harris, Amtrak President. “This critical investment will help us meet growing customer demand for a new era of rail with brand new trains that will upgrade safety, reliability, and comfort.”
During a recent tour of West Coast operations, Harris visited the Seattle site to review progress, lead a media tour, meet staff, and engage with regional partners.
The revamped King Street Yard will feature a two-bay maintenance and inspection facility alongside a new service and cleaning bay. According to Amtrak, the site will enable more efficient maintenance and turnaround, helping to support consistent and reliable operations.
Following the award of the construction contract in 2023, early works included the relocation of equipment and structures, as well as grading and preparation for extensive pile driving to stabilise the site. Pile driving and mass excavation are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with the main structure to be erected in early 2026.
Seattle is one of six Amtrak maintenance yards being upgraded nationwide to prepare for the Airo fleet rollout. Similar works are underway in Philadelphia, with contracts awarded for Boston and Washington, D.C., while projects are in the procurement and planning stages in New York City and Rensselaer, New York.
The Airo trains (Siemens Charger), which will operate as unified trainsets rather than traditional separate carriages, will require a standardised maintenance approach across the network. The new facilities aim to reduce repair times and improve service efficiency behind the scenes.
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