KANONA, N.Y. — Whether any of Amtrak’s 70-car Horizon fleet can ever return to active duty is still to be determined following extensive examination of ten vehicles at carbuilder Alstom’s 130,000-square-foot inspection and overhaul facility at Kanona in upstate New York.
Meanwhile, the rapid deployment of Northeast Corridor Amfleet equipment to the Pacific Northwest means almost all Amtrak Cascades departures are set to be restored by Sunday, April 6.
The cars were suddenly pulled from service a week ago, with Amtrak citing corrosion issues [see “Amtrak sidelines Horizon car fleet …,” Trains News Wire, March 26, 2025]. In response to a set of detailed News Wire questions, Amtrak would only confirm that the cars were sent to the shop after “some corrosion” was detected during a periodic inspection. Once the 1989-vintage cars arrived, however, additional corrosion was discovered by Amtrak inspectors “in areas normally not visible.” The company said it had determined “corrosive effects on structural steel accelerated due to the amount of water, ice, and de-icing treatments that have accumulated over the lifecycle of Horizon passenger cars. That result was verified and confirmed by Alstom, the successor to Bombardier Transportation, the original manufacturer.”
Other sources have told News Wire that the cars were sent to Alstom for the purpose of repairing visible corrosion around vestibules and traps. However, when that process began and cars were removed from their trucks, floors or ceilings reportedly buckled or collapsed. Neither Amtrak nor Alstom would confirm this; Amtrak would only say it is “working with Alstom to examine the fleet and address the findings,” though few movements of Horizon cars have been detected since they were sidelined following the initial inspections.
Much of the original 104-car order, constructed of steel and aluminum, has operated for decades in the upper Midwest where extensive use of salt on icy platforms and metal steps, as well as highway road salt pummeling underframes at crossings took its toll. Horizons generally received periodic maintenance at Amtrak’s Brighton Park facility on Chicago’s southwest side, while overhauls were done at the company’s Beech Grove Heavy Maintenance Facility near Indianapolis.
In the past, News Wire has observed the Brighton Park operation, which involved extensive exterior washing and deep cleaning of interiors. Asked whether that regimen continues, Amtrak would only say, “our cars routinely receive maintenance, preventive and otherwise.”
Amfleet deployed; Hiawatha to receive Superliners
Amtrak has filled the equipment void in the Pacific Northwest, where 26 Horizon cars were sidelined, by ferrying stainless steel Northeast Corridor Amfleet coaches and cafes for use on Amtrak Cascades service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C. [see “Restoration of Amtrak Cascades service …,” News Wire, March 31, 2025]. Buses have substituted for trains until the substitutes arrived. Plans as of today (Thursday, April 3) call for all train service to be restored by Sunday, April 6, except for train no. 502, the 8:30 a.m. departure from Portland, Ore., to Seattle. That service will begin Monday, April 7. Trains are generally assigned only two coaches and one cafe/Business Class car, except for the single available Talgo trainset, which now will rotate through all departures.
Beginning Friday April 4, bus substitutions will end on all Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha departures when Superliners will be deployed. The move coincides with the end of Colorado’s Winter Park Express, which had its final runs last weekend. The coaches were originally set to lengthen the consists of long-distance trains.
— Updated at 3:20 p.m. CT with Hiawatha information.
Are Amfleet and Superliner cars made entirely of stainless steel including frames?
I guess Amtrak has become an arm of the CIA. They never clearly and honestly answer any questions, it’s always we can neither confirm nor deny.
They need to reactivate as many Amfleet cars they can because it’s likely the Horizon cars are goners. The states with corridor svcs should have been more proactive in acquiring new cars dedicated to their svcs instead of relying on these aging Amtrak cars. How long before those new cars on order for the Pacific NW show up?
The new cars for Washington are supposed to start arriving either late this year or early next year, and go into service next year. The other Airo sets for the Northeast will begin arriving sometime after that. Illinois and California are getting their cars that they ordered years ago. North Carolina is still using their older ones and aren’t affected by this; they’ve earmarked money for new cars but I haven’t seen an announcement yet.
This does raise questions about all the other corridor services that are being studied and promoted, namely New Orleans-Mobile. Will Amtrak actually have enough equipment to run them without dipping into their old stock? Will they be able to get money for new equipment? Will the states pony up funds for it?
You make a very valid point about states taking charge of their equipment needs. I have long advocated for my home state (Wisconsin) to follow the North Carolina model and have our own fleet of rolling stock.
About 20 years back, the second batch of Surfliner cars were being built by Alstom in Hornell, NY. These cars were a quality product after a similar design by another manufacturer about ten years earlier developed some problems. Wisconsin could have added to the California order (lowering per-unit cost), a good deal for both states. I advocated hard for this but too many people were infatuated with Talgo because “it looked European”.
Had my advice been heeded, Wisconsin would be doing OK and not have to be borrowing Superliners that should be on long-distance routes to add needed capacity.
In CA, the older bi-levels are looking a little tough, but the newer Alstom cars still look good after 20+ years of service.
In any case, sincere thanks to the veteran Amtrak Horizon rail cars for their nearly 36 years of service!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Suddenly letting those two sets of Talgos slip away seems even more daft.
In FY24 the average occupancy rate on the NEC Regional trains was 65.8 percent. What impact will the transfer of the Amfleet cars from the NEC to the Pacific Northwest have on the capacity of NEC trains?
I am not optimistic about the return of Horizon cars to the active fleet because AMTRAK refused to give direct answers to Trains’ questions.
How do you justify big bucks on equipment slated for replacement? Tough call.
I don’t see anybody giving a direct answer when the equipment is apart being examined.
ALL equipment is intended to be replaced. Look at the B&O Museum to see the progress from 1827.
JAMES —- What answer would you expect this early in the process?