Amtrak’s Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago has operated with reduced seating capacity since the removal of all Horizon passenger cars in March 2025. The removal of the Bombardier Transportation-built Horizon cars, caused by underframe corrosion, cut nearly 100 seats per trainset. Currently, each trainset seats between 260 and 280 passengers, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
New Siemens Venture Railcars to Replace Aging Equipment
To restore and enhance seating capacity, Amtrak ordered nine new railcars from Siemens in 2021. These include six coach cars and three Venture cab-coach cars, a configuration new to the Midwest. Each cab-coach contains 56 passenger seats and includes space for train
conductors to operate the train. The new cab-coach cars will replace Amtrak-owned F-40 cab cars that lack passenger seating, as stated by the Wisconsin DOT.
Timeline and Testing of New Railcars
The first two Siemens coach cars are scheduled to enter service in September 2026, with the remaining seven cars joining during October and November 2026. Before entering revenue service, the new cars will undergo commissioning and testing in Chicago, a process expected to last three to four months. Once fully integrated, each Hiawatha trainset will feature five coach cars and one cab-coach, allowing for up to 388 passenger seats and capacity for nine checked bicycles,
per Wisconsin DOT information.
Background on Equipment Replacement and State Contracts
Efforts to upgrade the Hiawatha line originated in 2009 when then-Governor Jim Doyle awarded a no-bid contract to Spanish manufacturer Talgo for two new trains to replace aging Amtrak equipment, including Horizon cars. That year, Wisconsin also secured an $810 million federal stimulus grant for a planned Milwaukee-Madison high-speed rail line. Talgo was responsible for manufacturing trains and maintenance for this project.
After Governor Scott Walker took office in 2010, the high-speed rail project was canceled due to concerns over operating costs. Talgo continued building the trains and eventually sued the state over contract disputes. A
2015 settlement required Wisconsin to pay Talgo a combined total of $51 million in contracts and legal settlements, with Talgo retaining ownership of the trains.
Passenger Benefits from Increased Capacity in Fall 2026
With the addition of the nine Siemens Venture railcars beginning fall 2026, passengers on the Hiawatha line will experience an increase in seating capacity from the current reduced levels. The introduction of cab-coach cars that provide seating will also improve passenger comfort by replacing older F-40 cab cars without seats. These upgrades address longstanding issues caused by aging equipment and seat losses after the removal of Horizon cars in 2025.
