Hello Reader,
A few months ago, I mentioned that Amtrak's Superliners might be phased out. Last Wednesday, Amtrak confirmed this, and the plan is even more extensive than I anticipated. They issued a Request for Proposals for over 800 new railcars, replacing all Superliners in the West and every Viewliner I sleeper and Amfleet II coach on the Eastern overnight routes. This will be one combined fleet, marking the largest long-distance equipment order in Amtrak's history.
The Superliner Replacement Plan Takes the Next Step
A couple of months ago, I wrote about the possibility that Amtrak's Superliner cars might be on their way out. Now that we know more about Amtrak's plans, I like what I see overall.
Last Week
Last Wednesday, April 15, Amtrak issued the formal Request for Proposals for its largest long-distance train ever in Amtrak History!
We're talking more than 800 new railcars to replace equipment on every long-distance route in the country — Superliners out West and Viewliner I sleepers and Amfleet II coaches on the Eastern overnight trains.
A supplier will be selected by the end of 2027. The first new cars likely won't carry passengers until the early 2030s. It will take a while for them all to be built and put into operation.
The Real News: One Fleet, One Level
Here's the part of the announcement that actually changes the experience:
Every long-distance route is transitioning to a single-level fleet. One standardized design, end to end, coast to coast.
Currently, Amtrak has a shortage of Superliner cars, so pulling cars for maintenance or removing those no longer fit for service further reduces the number available. As new cars enter service on some routes, Amtrak could shift the freed-up Superliners to routes still waiting their turn, helping ease the shortage during the transition.
In places like Chicago, New Orleans, and Washington, DC, where Amfleet and Superliner cars share yard space, assembling trains may require moving the cars to get the right equipment in the right place.
A unified fleet solves both problems. It makes swapping cars easier and reduces bottlenecks in the yard. That's good for the railroad and, eventually, for the rest of us too — fewer delays getting trains out of the station.
Here's What the New Cars Might Look Like
Amtrak released a short concept video with the announcement. It's the first visual we've seen — coaches, sleepers, a diner, and a lounge car. It's worth watching before you read the rest of this.
Quick caveat: these are conceptual renderings, not final designs. The supplier hasn't even been selected yet. Whatever gets built in the early 2030s could look significantly different from what's shown in the video.
My Favorite Concept Car
What caught my eye in the video is the lounge car — single-level but clearly inspired by the Superliner Sightseer. It looks like the café is in the same car, which would be a real convenience. The older I get, the more I appreciate fewer stairs.
And there's a bigger win here worth naming: a single-level fleet is dramatically more accessible. On a Superliner, if you use a wheelchair, you can reach only one lower-level section of one car — that's it. You can't get to the lounge, the diner, or most of the train. A single-level design opens the whole train to everyone. That's a genuine improvement, not just a marketing line.
What Kev Would Like To See
I've ridden enough Amtrak sleepers to have opinions. Here's what I hope Amtrak carries forward from the Viewliners and what I'd change.
The Viewliner rooms offer more luggage space than Superliner rooms — a game-changer for most travelers. Keep that.
The in-room sink in the Viewliner is a small feature that makes a big difference overnight. Keep that too. But I did not see it in the concepts. We can hope. It is nice to freshen up in your room rather than go to a restroom.
The one thing I'd change: the lower bed in a Viewliner roomette isn't rectangular. It tapers at one end due to the room's layout. Since the renderings don't appear to show toilets in the roomettes, maybe that section could be trimmed slightly, and the bed made symmetrical. Small fix, real quality-of-life upgrade. It kind of looks like I will get that one, but we are still in the concept.
One Last Thought
If riding in a Superliner — with its lounge, views, and classic feel — is on your list, you still have time.
But that version of Amtrak is now officially on a countdown.
I'll be watching how the bids look, what the final design turns out to be, and whether the new cars live up to the legacy. I'll keep you posted.
What is Kev Up To?
I'm not sure how the weather has been where you are, but last week we in Wisconsin had three consecutive days of storms.
By Thursday, I was out with friends when our phones went off, and we hardly looked up — we were over it. Chalk it up to forecast fatigue; they'd been calling for worse than we got all week.
Our community came through okay, with some slight flooding and some wind and tornado warnings that thankfully didn't amount to much. It could have been worse.
By Saturday, the sun was shining, and I drove to Neenah, WI, to attend a social for a theatre organ club. I met new friends and reconnected with longtime ones. Although I no longer enjoy driving as much as I used to, occasional solo drives like this can be quite pleasant.
Gary Owen was at the console, playing with great emotion. In addition to the theatre organ, he even showcased his talents on the venue's Hammond B3. After the concert, we had some snacks and played free-play pinball!
If you want to learn more, check out this post I wrote for the organ club.
Thank You!
Thanks for reading!
If you're interested in helping me continue, you can click the green button below, visit my support page for more options, or join my Patreon! With a paid Patreon membership, you get a monthly postcard and more, and I just ordered new postcards.
Until Next Week!
Safe travels & Happy Planning,
Kev Monteith
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