Amtrak and Partners Break Ground on Southampton Rail Yard Modernization Project in Boston

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New maintenance facility and other yard upgrades will support state-of-the-art Airo trains set to enter service on the Northeast Regional & Amtrak Downeaster in the coming years

BOSTON - Today, Amtrak was joined by leaders from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), and Rail Passenger Association to celebrate the start of major construction on a new train maintenance facility in Boston.

"We are now one step closer to introducing new, state-of-the-art Airo trainsets on the Northeast Regional and Amtrak Downeaster routes," said Amtrak Vice President of Project Delivery, Fleet & Facilities, Michelle Tortolani. "This new facility will help speed up train maintenance and reduce turnaround times, providing Amtrak customers with more reliable service as ridership continues to break records. We're grateful for our valued partners at the Federal Railroad Administration, who have helped support and fund this project from concept to construction."

"The improvements that Amtrak is making to the Southampton Yard facility are an exciting step to enhance intercity passenger rail service along the Northeast Corridor," said MassDOT Rail & Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. "As Amtrak continues to improve service to the Commonwealth by introducing the new Airo fleet, this investment ensures that Massachusetts continues to play a central role in maintaining and advancing world-class rail operations. Through our Rail and Transit Division, MassDOT is proud to collaborate with Amtrak in strengthening infrastructure that delivers safer, faster and more reliable service for passengers throughout the region."

"Southampton Yard is a critical regional facility where trains that provide Amtrak Downeaster service between Brunswick, Maine and Boston have been maintained for nearly a quarter century," said NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn. "We're here to celebrate not only rail yard modernizations, but the introduction of a new generation of trainsets which will revolutionize passenger rail travel across the nation, including on Downeaster service beginning in 2030."

"The MBTA is supportive of Amtrak's investment in the Southampton Yard," said MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan. "The upgrades will support the next generation of equipment and create a smoother, more efficient operation for everyone who travels through this busy corridor. This work will lead to better reliability, faster turnarounds, and a better experience for all riders traveling through South Station-one of the busiest transportation hubs in the Northeast."

"America's passengers waited for decades for days like today, with long-overdue investment in the future of our rail network from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act making a visible difference for the fare-paying public," said Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews. "This project and the new Airo trains are an example of what's possible when we commit to building - and keeping - a healthy industrial base to support our mobility and prosperity. It's proof our country has what it takes to build and deliver the next rail revolution."

As it opens in phases through 2029, the maintenance facility will be used for daily inspections, service and cleaning, and more. This investment will improve the customer and employee experience by significantly speeding up train maintenance and reducing turnaround times, thanks to more modern maintenance practices.

The new 860-feet-long maintenance facility will encompass more than 60,000 square feet within the existing rail yard footprint, featuring a new two-bay Maintenance & Inspection (M&I) facility with inspection pits, drop tables, sanding systems, and fueling pads at each end, as well as a renovated two-track Service & Inspection (S&I) facility.

Additional upgrades include a new direct fixation track within the M&I and S&C areas; removal of existing and installation of new catenary (electric power) structures; new storage tracks for both MBTA commuter trains and Amtrak equipment; new retaining walls; utility relocations; yardmaster's operations area, and more. No major customer impacts are expected due to this project.

These upgrades will benefit Amtrak customers across the East Coast - including the Northeast Regional between Boston and Washington, and the Amtrak Downeaster between Boston and Brunswick, Maine. This facility will also be used for Acela and Long Distance trains that operate out of this yard, connecting with cities such as Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Richmond.

Amtrak's extensive fleet modernization plans include more than 20 rail yard and facility upgrades across over a dozen routes set to receive new Airo trainsets. Planned and delivered in close coordination with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration, these improvements will enhance maintenance capabilities and improve the overall customer and employee experience. The new facility at Southampton Yard is the fourth in this program to begin construction, following Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington (where Amtrak broke ground yesterday).

Several layover sites outside the NEC will also be built or renovated by Amtrak and its partners as part of this program. These are located along existing routes where trains are cleaned, serviced or stored, such Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, and Roanoke, Virginia.

Amtrak is transforming train travel with brand new trains slated to replace a majority of the existing fleet, and these rail yard upgrades will advance the company's new era of passenger rail. New, premium high-speed NextGen Acelatrainsets began service in August, Airotrainset manufacturing has ramped up, and work continues to advance replacement of the current Long Distance fleet.

Additional Reactions:

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05)

"American rail should be the fastest and most reliable in the world. I'm thrilled that we're breaking ground on a project that will help deliver the frequent, on-time travel Bay Staters deserve. Alongside the entire House Democratic Caucus, I'm fighting for the resources Amtrak needs to build on this investment and keep moving forward."

U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch (MA-08)

"I am pleased that federal funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been awarded to Amtrak to modernize their Boston facilities to support their new Airo and NextGen Acela trains on the Northeast Corridor. These new trains will be better for our environment, improve service reliability, and operate with greater fuel efficiency in the hands of our skilled Machinists and Rail employees at the Southampton Yard. I am grateful to Amtrak President Roger Harris for his commitment to improving our transportation system and making the travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone."