Amtrak Announces New and Improved Long Distance Fleet Replacement Strategy

Great River Rail Commission

MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: 

Great River Rail Commission 

Kevin Roggenbuck, Senior Transportation Planner, 

Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority 

(651) 266-2790

kevin.roggenbuck@ramseycounty.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2025

Amtrak is announcing a revised long-distance fleet replacement strategy that will focus on fleet standardization, encouraging competition in carbuilders, reducing risk, and accelerating the replacement of aging cars. This new plan is built on a switch to uniform single-level cars, replacing the current fleet of bi-level and single-level cars.

This announcement comes after extensive analysis of the challenges of employing a hybrid fleet along with industry feedback on new bi-level cars. The feedback for Amtrak’s original Request for Proposal stated that a bi-level semi-permanently coupled trainset would be too expensive, risky and complicated to deliver in an effective manner.

“This new approach will deliver a more consistent and accessible customer experience across the Amtrak network while maintaining our commitment to introduce the first new long-distance cars in the early 2030s,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Thanks to support from FRA Administrator David Fink and the entire Federal Railroad Administration team, Amtrak’s long-distance fleet replacement is moving forward more effectively and efficiently than originally planned.”

Amtrak will soon reissue a Request for Proposals, this time focusing on uniform, single-level cars in order to speed up the process while expanding the list of potential carbuilders and reducing risk. Amtrak designers told the Rail Passengers Association that the intent is to retain the same key features and accommodations as the superliners in their new, single-level cars. 

Many of Amtrak’s current long-distance railcars were delivered more than 40 years ago. Amtrak will continue to evaluate the condition of the existing fleet, assess remaining service life, and determine any life extension measures necessary to ensure safe and reliable operations until the new long-distance fleet enters service. Amtrak remains committed to introducing the first new long-distance cars in the early 2030s.

Meyer, Betcher Re-elected to Lead GRRC

Great River Rail Commission 

MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: 

Great River Rail Commission 

Kevin Roggenbuck, Senior Transportation Planner, 

Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority 

(651) 266-2790

kevin.roggenbuck@ramseycounty.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 5, 2026

Meyer, Betcher Re-elected to Lead GRRC

February 5, 2026 (Red Wing, Minn.) – Winona County Commissioner Chris Meyer was re-elected chair, and Goodhue County Commissioner Susan Betcher was re-elected vice chair of the Great River Rail Commission (GRRC) at its last regular meeting. Meyer has served as chair since March 2025 and as vice chair since 2023. Betcher has served as the Goodhue County representative to the GRRC since 2023.

"I'm honored to continue serving as chair of the Great River Rail Commission," said Meyer. "Over the past year, we've seen tremendous growth in ridership and community support for the Borealis service. I look forward to building on this momentum as we work to expand passenger rail options throughout the region."

Meyer has lived in Winona County since 1997, and has served as Winona County Commissioner since 2018.

Susan Betcher grew up in Red Wing, in Goodhue County. She was appointed to the Goodhue County Board in 2022 and won a special election in 2023. She was reelected in 2024.

"The success of the Borealis service over its first years of operation has exceeded our expectations," Betcher said. "Red Wing residents and visitors alike have embraced this convenient transportation option. I'm excited to continue working with my fellow commissioners to ensure passenger rail remains a vital part of our region's future."

About the Commission 

The Great River Rail Commission is one of the leading voices on passenger rail in Minnesota. The Commission's long-range vision is that Borealis trains demonstrate additional demand that leads to further investment in faster, more frequent passenger train service. More information is available at greatriverrail.org.

Student Experience: Riding the Borealis

By Elida Roskamp

I recently took the Amtrak from Union Depot in St. Paul to the Winona Station when my car was sitting on a jack in my parents’ garage, and I didn’t have a spare vehicle to get me back to school in beautiful Winona, Minnesota. I knew that it would be inconvenient for my family to drive me the 3.5 hours both ways, because they had other things that they needed to get done like work, which is why I decided on Amtrak. I also didn’t know anyone that was going back to Winona from my hometown the same weekend that I needed to head back, so the train was the best option for me.

I also decided on riding Amtrak, specifically the Borealis, which is the line that goes from the Twin Cities to Chicago and back every day, with a few stops on the Mississippi river valley, because of the price. As a college kid traveling on a budget, price was super important to me when it came to my searching to find a way back to school. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on gas or promise people cash for their gas when I didn’t have cash, but looking at the prices for a short trip from the Cities to Winona proved to be the most fiscally reasonable option, so I booked my ticket. 

The trip to Winona itself was shorter by about an hour than driving would have been and the entire experience was very pleasant. The seats on board the Borealis were super comfortable and without having to be physically driving, I was able to work on some homework while I traveled, while also taking in the sights of the Mississippi.

The staff were all very kind and helpful and the food on board the Borealis was good. It was reasonably priced, cheaper than airplane or airport food, but about on par with your local Kwik Trip’s food, it made for a great lunch option as I traveled.

The next time you’re in a pickle, or if you’re looking for a more relaxed way to travel, while not having to worry about the stress of an airport, the Borealis is a great way to go!