Urgent Need For Amtrak to Order New Long-Distance Passenger Rail Equipment Public Comment from Barry Green RPA Council RepFrom:bgreen@midrivers.com
To:bgreen@midrivers.com
Subject:EXTERNAL Urgent Need For Amtrak to Order New Long-Distance Passenger Rail Equipment For Existing And
Expanding Routes
Date:Sunday, March 29, 2026 2:21:05 PM
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Sample Letter to DOT Secty. S Duffy - Fri. Jan. 23, 2026.docx
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Dear Mayors, City Managers, and City Administrators Along/Near Amtrak’s
Empire Builder Route From Sandpoint, ID to and including the Fargo,
ND/Moorhead MN Region:
The High Speed Rail Alliance organization is spearheading the following request.
Amtrak’s trains are too short to meet today’s demand. Trains regularly sell out,
year round, all across the country. The long-distance trains have it the worst. The
coaches and sleepers are up to 50 years old, and the trains are half as long as they
should be. For the past 5-years, Amtrak’s equipment has been experiencing more
mechanical problems due to the overall age of this equipment. Funds to buy new
long-distance trains are available, but Amtrak and the Federal Railroad
Administration are slow-walking the orders. Getting this order moving is essential
to growing the national network and the rolling stock supply chain. Some of you
may have already completed this request and I thank you for that. I encourage
those of you who haven’t yet participated to take the time and send your letters as
detailed below.
Here is how you as an individual and/or your organization can help get the order
moving:
Individuals -
1. Send an email to Transportation Secretary Duffy
Organizations -
1. Send a letter to DOT Secretary Duffy – Sample letter attached for your use or
as a guide to personalize it with your own local content.
2. Send a PDF copy to your two U. S. Senators and U. S.
Congressman/Congresswoman
3. Send a PDF copy to the High Speed Rail Association via email
at (info@hsrail.org)
More Information -
1. High Speed Rail Alliance (HSRA) – (https://www.hsrail.org/)
2. Amtrak New Fleet Action Center – (https://www.hsrail.org/blog/amtrak-
long-distance-fleet-action-center/)
Thank you in advance for your time with this request. Please feel free to forward
to others who you believe would be interested in participating in this request.
Should you have any questions, you can contact me via whatever method works
best for you.
Sincerely yours,
Barry E. Green
Barry E. Green, RPA Council Rep. (MT) & NW Div. Team Leader
(Also Covering ID and ND RPA Members)
P. O. Box 162
Glendive, MT 59330
(406)-377-8056 (Home)
(406)-939-3059 (Cell)
bgreen@midrivers.com (Email)
(www.railpassengers.org)
Sample Letter: Please place this letter or your own personalized letter on your letterhead. Send a
hard copy to DOT Secretary Duffy; a PDF copy to your two U. S. Senators; a PDF copy to your
respective Congressman/Congresswoman; and a PDF copy to the HSRA at info@hsrail.org.
The Honorable Sean Duffy
Secretary
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
Secretary Duffy,
Thank you for your steadfast commitment to expanding and modernizing America’s passenger rail
network.
I urge you to work closely with Amtrak to expedite the procurement of new coaches and sleepers for the
long-distance network—beginning with replacements for the aging Superliner equipment serving routes
in the western United States. The current fleet is insufficient to meet passenger demand and continues to
shrink as equipment reaches the end of its service life or is sidelined by accidents. As a result, thousands
of travelers are turned away each year due to lack of capacity.
This issue is not new—replacement orders should have been initiated years ago. The recent discovery of
advanced corrosion in Horizon cars, which led to their complete withdrawal from service, underscores
the growing vulnerability of Amtrak’s equipment base and serves as a clear warning signal.
Amtrak’s long-distance trains are indispensable to national mobility. They serve as critical lifelines to
rural communities while connecting metropolitan centers, providing convenient single-seat rides across
numerous city pairs. These services offer unparalleled efficiency and access, especially for working-
class Americans.
To ensure long-distance service is preserved and strengthened, the new fleet should incorporate proven
designs, emphasize durability and reliability, and leverage the existing American supply chain wherever
possible. Simplicity and functionality should guide interior design, with a focus on the needs of
everyday travelers.
We also urge you to collaborate with Congress to secure the necessary funding for timely deployment of
new trainsets, coupled with strong oversight and accountability measures. Accelerating these
investments will provide a safer, modern onboard experience, on equipment built, operated, and
maintained by American workers. It is essential for the long-term viability of these rail services that
Congress continue to support these investments in our domestic manufacturing industry and the
associated supply chain.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, and for your continued leadership in shaping a more
connected nation.