Horizon coaches expand capacity on Downeaster corridor (updated)

PORTLAND, Maine — Two rebuilt Horizon coaches began operating earlier this month on one of three Downeaster equipment sets running between Boston’s North Station and Brunswick, Maine, but Amtrak won’t say whether additional Horizons will return to revenue service.

The entire 70-car fleet of coaches and cafes was abruptly withdrawn in March 2025 after extensive corrosion was discovered during an inspection at an Alstom repair facility in upstate New York [see “Examination of Horizon corrosion issues …,” Trains.com, April 3, 2025].

A number of Horizon cars deemed repairable were subsequently selected for rehabilitation, but apparently only the two Downeaster cars have been reactivated to date.

In a statement to Trains, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director Patricia Quinn says, “Two of the rebuilt Horizons were deployed earlier this month, and one Amfleet was removed from our service. As such, Downeasters are being operated with two consists which have three Amfleet coaches each and one consist which has two Amfleet coaches and two Horizon coaches (four coaches total).”

She adds, “The larger set is being slotted where higher demand is anticipated. We do not have a schedule for any additional changes or Horizon deployments at this time.”

All Downeasters also feature an Amfleet I café/business-class car, as do Amtrak Cascades Pacific Northwest service. Those corridors, Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawathas, and the Chicago-St. Paul Borealis have had significant capacity reductions since losing their Horizon equipment last year. Superliners and Illinois-owned Venture equipment have been substituting in the Midwest. Currently, five Amfleet sets are protecting Cascades schedules along with two larger-capacity Talgo Series 8 trainsets. Just one of those Amfleet sets operates with more than two coaches.

Trains first asked Amtrak for a Horizon deployment status report on May 29 but the company has yet to respond.

— Updated at 4:10 p.m. CT with photo of Horizon coaches. To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.