CHICAGO — Amtrak has officially opened a new, state-of-the-art train wash facility at its Chicago yard, a move aimed at improving fleet reliability and the passenger experience.
The automated facility, which is now fully operational, will service long-distance and state-supported trains at Amtrak’s busiest hub. The system is designed to clean train exteriors more efficiently, speeding up equipment turnaround times.
This upgrade replaces an aging facility and is part of a national push by Amtrak to modernize its maintenance infrastructure.
“A clean train is safer and more reliable, particularly in winter weather when ice and grime can impact mechanical components,” said an Amtrak official. “This investment in Chicago is a key part of our broader fleet modernization efforts.”
For travelers, the new facility is expected to improve the consistency and cleanliness of passenger cars. Reliable equipment is critical for maintaining on-time performance across the national network, which heavily relies on the Chicago hub.
This opening is the first of several planned. Amtrak has confirmed that similar upgraded wash facilities are scheduled for construction in other key maintenance hubs, including Seattle and Washington, D.C., in the coming year.
Amtrak opened a new train wash in Chicago to improve the cleanliness, reliability, and turnaround time of its passenger fleet. The state-of-the-art facility is part of a national plan to modernize maintenance infrastructure.
Following the opening in Chicago, Amtrak plans to build similar new train wash facilities at other major hubs, including Seattle and Washington, D.C.
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