Quicker Wi-Fi, but more compact seats: Here’s a sneak peek at Amtrak’s latest trains.

Experience the future of train travel in the U.S. today.

In July, Amtrak secured a $7.3 billion deal with California's Siemens Mobility for up to 83 trains, phasing out rail cars that are up to 50 years old. This includes new trains for the crucial Northeast Corridor connecting Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

Although these new trains — set to replace 40% of Amtrak's fleet — won't be operational until 2024, we’re getting a preview of their design.

Recently, Amtrak quietly showcased the first arrivals from a previous order with Siemens made in 2017. While some interior changes may happen, this is essentially the same model that will be introduced nationwide over the next decade.

Known as the Amtrak "Venture" fleet, I traveled through the suburbs of Chicago to find out if these passenger coaches will indeed "transform the future of rail travel," as stated by Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn in 2021.

Amtrak is embarking on a new chapter, so let’s explore how this revamped passenger experience stacks up against the trains of the past.

The future of Amtrak's Venture fleet

While it's still unclear how Amtrak will utilize the trains from its 2021 order, we have more insights into the earlier 2017 order, which will serve as the foundation for Amtrak Midwest.

At present, only one new Siemens train with four individual coaches is in operation. As of the publication of this article, this train is running on the Lincoln Service line between Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri.

A representative from the Illinois Department of Transportation informed TPG that the Amtrak Venture fleet will eventually be rolled out on all state-supported routes in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

However, for now, only coach class train cars will be delivered, with new business class cars expected to enter service later in 2022 and new café cars set for 2023.

In summary: If you want to experience Amtrak's latest and best coach class offering right now, you'll need to be in the Midwest.

These Midwest trains have been a long time in the making, as the initial orders date back to 2012 with a different manufacturer. Additionally, a water supply issue in mid-2021 further delayed their entry into service.

But they’ve arrived now — so let’s get on board.

Boarding

One of the first features you'll notice is a set of retractable stairs built into the train.

At stations without an elevated platform, these stairs can be automatically lowered. In contrast, older trains required a conductor to manually place a set of stairs at each door.

Interestingly, these new trains are designed with only one set of doors on each side, which could potentially slow down the boarding and deboarding process.

On board

The passenger cabin boasts completely new features, from seats to storage to connectivity and beyond. Imagine a space that is light, bright, and modern — resembling an airplane cabin.

Although the overhead white lighting can be a bit intense, there's no doubt these trains feel like they've finally stepped into the twenty-first century, especially when compared to Amtrak's older "Horizon" and "Amfleet" cars.

The windows are notably larger, enhancing natural light and improving sightlines.

The seats come in an appealing dark purple hue, featuring a blend of vinyl and fabric coverings. They are also more contoured than before, with firm cushioning, lower back support, and winged headrests.

Nonetheless, I couldn't shake the feeling that these seats resemble slim-line airplane seats more than the comfortable recliners of the past.

While I felt reasonably comfortable during my one-hour journey from Chicago to Joliet, I could envision these seats being a bit too firm for longer trips, like the five-hour ride to St. Louis.

Sadly, the seat width drops from about 21 inches in the Amfleet and Horizon cars to approximately 19.1 inches. Having ridden both the Venture and Amfleet back to back, I could definitely feel the reduced padding and narrower seats in the newer coaches.

The new Venture trains also experience a notable downgrade in seat recline functionality. In fact, these seats don’t recline in the traditional way at all; instead, the seat bottom cushion slides forward — about 2.4 inches.

While this motion doesn’t interfere with the passenger behind you, I hardly noticed any improvement in comfort when I pressed the recline button.

However, it’s not all negative. The seat pitch in coach remains impressive at 36.8 inches, comparable to many airlines' domestic first-class configurations. For example, American Airlines' 737MAX first class features a pitch of exactly 37 inches with a width of 21 inches.

The tray table also receives a significant upgrade, offering a spacious surface that comfortably accommodates my 13-inch MacBook Pro, along with additional items.

Unlike the older Amfleet trains, which lack an armrest between coach passengers, the new Venture trains feature one. Beneath this central armrest, you’ll also find two power outlets and two USB ports, which are new additions.

Each seat now features a coat hanger and an overhead reading lamp, enhancing the overall experience.

Accessibility

The seats may be narrowing, but that's for a good reason: the aisles have been made significantly wider.

Traveling through the train is now more convenient, enabling not only passengers and conductors but also wheelchair users to navigate the entire length of the train with ease.

Unfortunately, the wheelchair lifts designed for the trains won't be introduced until 2023 for the new café cars.

For the time being, wheelchair users will have to depend on lifts at the stations and will not be able to pass through the older, narrower café cars.

Overall, accessibility has seen significant enhancements. Every new car features designated wheelchair seating and storage, along with restrooms spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

Restrooms

At the rear of each car, you'll find restrooms equipped with touchless controls, including a no-touch faucet, soap dispenser, hand dryer, and automatic toilet flush.

Although this updated restroom lacks the 'wow' factor (no scenic views like on a Delta Airbus A220), it represents a significant upgrade from the outdated facilities found throughout the Amtrak fleet.

Bicycle and luggage storage

In addition to a clear shelf above the seats for bags, there are racks at each end of the car that can be adjusted to accommodate bicycles or wheelchairs.

Wi-Fi, connectivity, and displays

This is significant. An Amtrak representative confirmed that Wi-Fi has seen enhancements, with new antennas and more powerful routers installed in each coach. Previously, routers were only found in the cafe car.

In side-by-side real-world tests, I discovered that the Wi-Fi in the new Venture cars was considerably faster for checking emails, browsing the web, and performing basic tasks. It seems that reliable Wi-Fi is finally on its way to Amtrak trains.

Moreover, large monitors are positioned throughout the coach, displaying announcements, train details, and restroom availability.

The takeaway

These new trains offer a preview of Amtrak's future for travelers nationwide.

Though these aren't the inaugural Siemens trains (that distinction belongs to Brightline), the introduction of the Venture fleet marks a pivotal moment for rail service in the U.S.

Travelers who have experienced trains in countries like those in Europe or Japan might chuckle at the idea of these new cars being groundbreaking. However, Amtrak has long needed a significant upgrade ... and it's finally happening.

Overall, I find myself feeling a bit underwhelmed by the Venture fleet. It boasts modern features like usable Wi-Fi, improved restrooms, and enhanced accessibility. However, the seats seem like a regression, resembling those on airlines more than many would prefer.

Ultimately, this marks a new era for Amtrak. I can only hope that with input from passengers, these interiors will see some improvements as they are implemented nationwide.

All photos by the author, unless noted otherwise.