The FRA announced $5.3 billion for passenger rail this afternoon as part of the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (rebranded by the Trump Administration as the National Railroad Partnership Program).
The grants will fund non-Northeast Corridor projects, going to 41 projects that will directly benefit 23 states. Rail Passengers will analyze the full list of projects over the weekend, but here are some key takeaways:
Fleet expansion is a big winner, with over $2 billion being granted to Amtrak and a cadre of States for the purchase of 43 new trainsets. While no manufacturer was mentioned by name, one would expect this to involve expanding the current order of Siemens Airos that is currently rolling off the line. Services listed as direct beneficiaries: the Adirondack, Blue Water, Carolinian, Cascades, D.C. to Newport News, D.C. to Norfolk, D.C. to Roanoke, Downeaster, Empire, Ethan Allen, Hartford Line, Hiawatha, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr, Keystone, Lincoln, Pennsylvanian, Pere Marquette, Piedmont, River Runner, and Wolverine.
WisDOT also received $140 million for the overhaul of up to 41 Charger locomotives, which will benefit Amtrak’s Blue Water, Cascades, Hiawatha, Lincoln, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr, Missouri River Runner, and Pere Marquette routes.
Another big winner? Texas! The FRA directed over $820 million to the Lone Star state. That includes $566 million in upgrades for the Sunset Ltd. route and $253 million for the Texas Eagle.
Stay tuned! We’ll have more analysis on Monday
Why not Pacific Surfliner? Coast Starlight? West coast Amtrak ? Don’t understand.