Amtrak and Partners Break Ground on New Train Maintenance Facility in New York City

Rail yard modernization project will support the introduction of new Airo trains on  Northeast Regional and State Supported routes 

NEW YORK – Amtrak celebrated the start of major construction on a new maintenance facility today at Sunnyside Yard in Long Island City, NY. The project will help prepare for the introduction of Amtrak’s new Airo trainsets while improving maintenance operations that support millions of passenger trips across the Northeast each year. 

🎙️ Amtrak Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason:  

“From this new maintenance facility to the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project and so many other projects, Amtrak is delivering transformative investments that are reshaping the future of passenger rail in New York. Together with our partners at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), we’re building the modern infrastructure needed to support our new Airo trains and deliver safer, more reliable service for decades to come.” 

🎙️ Federal Railroad Administrator David Fink: 

“This new maintenance facility — which is funded by the largest rail investment yet under the second Trump Administration — represents FRA’s back to basics approach that prioritizes critical infrastructure projects over boondoggles to ensure Amtrak’s long term success. Once completed, this facility will reduce maintenance downtime, helping Amtrak deliver reliable service and usher in a new Golden Age for American passenger rail.” 

👷‍️ ABOUT THE PROJECT: As it opens in phases through 2030, the new maintenance facility will be used for daily inspections, service, cleaning, and more. This investment will improve operational efficiency and working conditions while significantly speeding up train maintenance and reducing turnaround times. Work includes: 

• Construction of a new two-track maintenance and inspection facility for major work 

• Construction of six new service and cleaning tracks  

• Consolidation of commissary, employee workspace, material storage, and parking into a single location within the yard, including an efficient modular office compound 

• Bringing 11 existing service platforms to a state of good repair (required to clean/prepare trains for passenger service and store trainsets when not in operation) 

• Other infrastructure upgrades to accommodate this work, including reconfiguration of two major interlockings and tracks connecting the yard to the Northeast Corridor (NEC) 

The facility is being designed to support Amtrak’s new Airo trainsets, which will replace passenger cars that have been in service for more than 50 years. The new trains will offer improved accessibility, greater comfort, enhanced reliability, and a more modern travel experience. 

🚄 WHY IT MATTERS: This investment will benefit millions of Amtrak customers across several East Coast routes slated to receive new Airo trainsets over the coming years: 

• Northeast Regional service, including Amtrak Virginia and New Haven-Springfield-Greenfield trains 

• State Supported service, including Empire Service, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express, Adirondack, and Carolinian 

• Long Distance service, including Palmetto 

The new facility and improved service platforms will also be used to maintain or store NextGen Acela, Long Distance, and commuter trains that operate out of this yard. 

💲 HOW IT’S FUNDED: The new maintenance facility, crew base, and platform improvements represent a combined investment of over $1 billion, primarily funded by Congress through FRA-administered grants. FRA also recently announced $2.05 billion FRA that will fund up to 43 additional trainsets beyond the 83 Airo trains currently on order. 

🗺️ THE BIG PICTURE: Amtrak’s fleet modernization program includes more than 20 maintenance facility and rail yard upgrades across the network to prepare for the introduction of new Airo trainsets. 

• The Sunnyside Yard project is Amtrak’s fifth – and largest – major maintenance facility to advance into major construction over the past two years, following Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington, and Boston. 

• Rensselaer Yard, currently in design, is the sixth and final major maintenance facility planned for modernization under the program. 

• Several layover sites will also be built or renovated by Amtrak and its partners as part of this program. These smaller sites are located along existing routes where trains are cleaned, serviced, or stored, such as Albany and Niagara Falls, NY; Springfield, MA; and Burlington, VT.  

Additional Reactions: 

U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino (NY-2) 

“Reliable rail service is critical to Long Island and the entire Northeast. This investment at Sunnyside Yard will help modernize Amtrak’s fleet and better serve passengers for years to come. I want to thank Amtrak and its partners for making this important investment in New York and congratulate them on today’s groundbreaking.” 

U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) 

“I am a proud champion of passenger rail and have fought throughout my time in Congress to secure investments that strengthen rail transportation both in New York and nationwide. I am pleased with this investment from the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak to strengthen Amtrak’s service for the millions of daily passengers along the Northeast Corridor and create jobs for New Yorkers. This new maintenance facility at Sunnyside Yard will reduce the time trains spend out of service, improve maintenance operations, and ensure that passengers have safer, cleaner, and more reliable trains.” 

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto 

“Connecticut is excited to see construction begin on the new maintenance facility that will help bring Amtrak’s Airo trainsets into service in Connecticut and across the Northeast Corridor. We thank Amtrak and our federal partners for making this important investment in the infrastructure needed to deliver more reliable, comfortable, and accessible rail service for riders across the region.” 

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director DJ Stadtler 

“As we work to expand and improve passenger rail for Virginians, Amtrak’s new Airo equipment will bring a new, modern ride to our Amtrak Virginia passengers. Combining Airo with our Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative will make rail the best transportation option in the Commonwealth.” 

MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger 

“This project is an important investment in the future of the Northeast Corridor and our state-supported routes in New England. These services deliver the connections that bring people and communities together every day. By strengthening Amtrak’s ability to maintain and support its fleet in New York City, this project will help deliver more reliable, resilient service for residents, workers, families and travelers across the region. We are proud to see partners coming together to make investments like this that strengthen our transportation network and ensure people can continue to move safely and efficiently throughout the region.”