Horizon (railcar)
| Industry | Rail vehicle manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Products | Horizon railcars |
Horizon railcars are single-level passenger coaches used for intercity travel, operated by Amtrak, the United States' national rail provider. Produced by Bombardier Transportation between 1988 and 1990, this fleet consists of 104 units, including both standard coaches and food service cars, specifically engineered for short-haul corridor routes. Derived from the Comet commuter railcar design but modified for intercity operations, Horizon cars have predominantly been deployed on routes in the Midwest. In March 2025, the entire fleet was retired due to issues related to corrosion.
History
Amtrak awarded Bombardier a contract in 1988 to manufacture 104 passenger cars modeled after the Comet design, which was already being produced for commuter rail agencies. This private financing strategy facilitated swift production and delivery while bypassing federal funding requirements, making the Horizon fleet Amtrak's first set of fully privately funded railcars.
The assembly took place in Barre, Vermont, where Bombardier completed 86 coaches alongside 18 food service cars, delivered between 1989 and early 1990. The inaugural Horizon cars commenced revenue service in April 1989.
In 1994, Amtrak contemplated acquiring an additional 23 Horizon cars to replace its unreliable gas-turbine Turboliner trainsets operating on the Empire Corridor, but this procurement was ultimately not pursued.
On March 26, 2025, following the detection of extensive corrosion across the fleet, Amtrak withdrew all Horizon cars from service. This action led to operational interruptions on multiple routes as substitute equipment was mobilized.
Design
The Horizon cars were developed from the Comet II platform, itself an evolution of the original Comet I manufactured by Pullman-Standard during the early 1970s. Bombardier adapted this design to meet intercity travel demands by improving passenger comfort and onboard amenities suitable for longer journeys.
These railcars utilize General Steel Industries GSI-G70 outboard bearing trucks and are capable of reaching speeds up to .
Within the Horizon series, there are 72 standard coaches accommodating between 76 and 82 passengers, as well as 14 accessible coaches featuring seating for 72 along with designated wheelchair spaces. Subsequent retrofits enhanced accessibility across all coaches, resulting in a reduced seating capacity ranging from 68 to 72 passengers.
The fleet's 18 food service cars come in two variants: café/club cars offering seating for 32 patrons at tables plus 19 Business Class seats, and dinette cars with seating for 48 at tables. Both configurations include a centrally located food service counter.
Routes served
As of , Horizon railcars mainly operate on Chicago-centered Amtrak Midwest corridors, which include:
- Borealis
- Hiawatha
- Illinois Service lines such as Carl Sandburg, Illini, Illinois Zephyr, Lincoln Service, and Saluki
- Michigan Services, including Blue Water and Wolverine
- Missouri River Runner
Additionally, Horizon cars are assigned to:
See also
- Shoreliner – Comparable railcars operated by Metro-North Railroad.