In a letter to Amtrak President Roger Harris, AmeriStarRail is offering an innovative bi-level trainset, The AmeriStarliner, to replace Amtrak’s aging Superliner and single level long distance train cars with a standard trainset that can operate on any Amtrak route nationwide.

As designed by AmeriStarRail (ASR), the proposed new long distance trainsets will consist of 12 cars each including SkyView Observation Cars, SlumberCoaches, Sleepers and a SkyView Dining Car. Features of the AmeriStarliner include full ADA accessibility throughout the train, lay-flat seats in the SlumberCoaches and Sleeper Cars with Family Bedrooms for up to six passengers to travel together. 

The SkyView Observation Cars will have a grand two-story Solarium Observation Lounge, Children’s Play Area and a private dining room. The entire upper level of all AmeriStarliner passenger cars will have a spectacular SkyViewDome to create a scenic travel experience for passengers.

With just seven different car types, The AmeriStarliner is a trainset design, that will be simpler to design, manufacture and maintain. AmeriStarRail has an NDA with an international car builder for a partnership to build 1,020 cars in the United States with options to use private financing for the multi-billion dollar order. If Amtrak agrees to order the new trains this year, delivery of the new trainsets can begin late 2031 at the rate of 204 cars per year.

Amtrak Chairman Anthony Coscia has agreed to meet with AmeriStarRail to explore how ASR’s private sector investment and innovation can help expand and enhance Amtrak service.

In the letter to Amtrak, which is also endorsed by former Amtrak President and AmeriStarRail Senior Advisor Paul H. Reistrup, AmeriStarRail Chief Operating Officer, Scott R. Spencer said:

“As America’s 250th birthday approaches, AmeriStarRail is proud to offer Amtrak a grand conveyance, the AmeriStarliner long distance trainset, to usher in a golden age of travel for Amtrak passengers with the finest way to travel across America.”