In preparation for Railway Interchange 2026, taking place June 2-4 in Omaha, NE, RSI is taking a sneak peek into some can’t-miss sessions.
To chat about the session “Building the Future of Passenger Rail: An Amtrak and Supplier Industry Roundtable” — taking place 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 — we reached out to panelist and Amtrak Director of External Affairs Mariah Morales.
Check out her answers below about this discussion about the future of passenger rail at Railway Interchange.
Over the last year, Amtrak has celebrated a number of milestones that are helping shape the next era of passenger rail. From new fleets to major infrastructure projects across the network, what do you see as the most significant accomplishments achieved over the past year, and how are these projects positioning Amtrak to meet growing demand for passenger rail service in the years ahead?
It’s exciting to say that we have just closed out another record-breaking Q2! That follows on the heels of two of the best years in our 55-year history — from ridership and revenue to project delivery, team Amtrak and our partners are delivering for current and future riders. Our biggest constraint right now? We simply need more seats in service! And we’re addressing that as fast as possible.
Over the last year, we’ve introduced our new NextGen Acela trains in the northeast with our partners at Alstom and begun testing our new Siemens “Airo” trains that are expected to start entering service in the northwest this year. Real progress has been made on three tunnels (new and refurbished), nine new bridges, six major maintenance facilities, and introducing a new fleet for services across the country, with over 1,000 next-generation cars and locomotives entering service over the next several years.
We’ve also worked with our state partners to add new or improved services when possible. One of the highlights? Last year’s launch of the Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans, LA, to Mobile, AL. In less than a year, we’ve seen over 100k riders, far exceeding projections already!
Amtrak’s NextGen Acela and Airo trainsets are being built here in the U.S. by RSI members. As Amtrak continues investing in new fleets and equipment, what impact have those investments had on the rail supply industry, particularly for domestic manufacturing and workforce growth?
Investments in NextGen Acela and Amtrak Airo are having a significant and very tangible impact on the U.S. rail supply industry by anchoring large‑scale rail manufacturing here at home. These projects have supported a truly national domestic supply chain — hundreds of suppliers across dozens of states, sustaining thousands of highly paid skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs, including at major production facilities in Hornell, NY, Sacramento, CA and Lexington, NC.
Just as important, they’re helping rebuild long‑term workforce capacity and institutional knowledge in U.S. passenger rail manufacturing. That strong domestic base not only supports Amtrak’s growth but also positions American industry to compete and lead as rail demand continues to rise nationwide. The demand is strong enough to warrant Siemens Mobility North America to build its newest facility in Lexington, NC. New fleet relies on modern facilities — from construction jobs and supply chain to improved working conditions, these fleet and facilities investments are game changers for our suppliers and our workforce.
Amtrak recently announced the next steps toward replacing its long-distance fleet. What opportunities will this new equipment create for the passenger experience and Amtrak’s service capabilities?
Replacing our long‑distance fleet is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to transform overnight and cross‑country rail travel. The new equipment will deliver a more consistent, accessible and comfortable passenger experience, with modern seating, improved private rooms, upgraded dining and amenities that reflect what today’s travelers expect. From an operational standpoint, a standardized, single‑level fleet will improve reliability, simplify maintenance and allow us to deploy equipment more flexibly across the network. Ultimately, this investment strengthens the long‑distance network as a core part of America’s transportation system while positioning Amtrak to better serve customers and communities nationwide for decades to come.
Railway Interchange 2026 brings together North America’s rail suppliers like few other annual events do. What are you most looking forward to at this year’s conference?
Railway Interchange brings the entire rail ecosystem together in one place — suppliers, railroads, regulators and innovators — at a moment when the industry is investing heavily in the future! How exciting is that??
I’m really looking forward to seeing the latest technologies and manufacturing capabilities that will support fleet renewal, infrastructure modernization and improved safety and reliability for both passenger and freight rail.
Just as important are the conversations — hearing directly from suppliers and partners about what’s possible, what’s working, and how we continue building a strong domestic rail supply base together. Events like this are where collaboration turns into real progress for the industry.
Learn more about this session, and we hope to see you at this roundtable in Omaha!