Amtrak, VIA Rail Open Modernized Maintenance Facilities for New Fleets

Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada have each completed major maintenance facility projects designed to support their next-generation trainsets. Both projects are examples of U.S. and Canadian government investments to improve passenger rail while supporting local jobs. 

In Seattle, WA, Amtrak’s new $250 million maintenance and inspection facility supports the new Airo fleet that debuted on the Amtrak Cascades route. The project was delivered on time and $50 million under budget. The facility will open in phases through the end of 2026.

The building is the first of its kind for Amtrak. Full trainsets can now be inspected and serviced under one roof, which reduces downtime and improves efficiency. “By providing our teams the modern tools and space to maintain an entire Airo trainset at once, we can work more efficiently,” said Laura Mason, Amtrak executive vice president of capital delivery.

The Seattle project is part of Amtrak’s broader investment in new and upgraded maintenance facilities in Boston; New York; Philadelphia; and Washington, DC. In Seattle, the project used more than 40 subcontractors, many based in the Pacific Northwest, and provided for approximately 120 construction jobs.

North of the border, VIA Rail Canada modernized its Toronto maintenance center. The facility will support the railroad’s new Corridor fleet of 32 bidirectional trainsets and continue to service existing equipment. The four-year project was delivered on budget and supported up to 475 construction and skilled trades jobs. The center is expected to sustain nearly 240 permanent jobs.

The upgraded center features expanded maintenance bays and inspection platforms. Upgraded yard tracks are intended to reduce operational bottlenecks. A new Vehicle Equipment Measurement System provides real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and early fault detection to support predictive, data-driven maintenance, reduce unplanned downtime, and extend asset life.

“This facility gives our teams the infrastructure and technology they need to maintain trains more efficiently; improve fleet availability; and support a more reliable, accessible, and comfortable experience for our passengers,” said VIA Rail President and CEO Mathieu Paquette.

The project is part of VIA Rail’s broader transformation, which includes the new Corridor fleet; renewal of its long-distance, regional, and remote fleets, and the Dorval Multimodal Hub.