Amtrak has signed a $7.3 billion deal to acquire a fleet of up to 83 new train sets that will replace its almost 50-year-old rolling stock, writes Thomas Fitzgerald for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The new multi-powered trains will replace the rail cars on the Northeast Corridor as well as a number of state-supported routes, including two in Pennsylvania. These are the Keystone, which runs between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvanian, which runs between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

“We expect this to transform U.S. rail travel,” said Hollie Knox, Amtrak senior director of procurement. “This is one of the largest investments that Amtrak has ever made.”

The locomotives will be built by California-based Siemens Mobility. They are also expected to slash air pollution by bringing down emissions of nitrogen oxides by 85 percent and reducing particulates generated from burning fossil fuels by 95 percent.

Meanwhile, the new passenger cars will offer numerous amenities and will be accessible to people with disabilities.

The railroad expects to receive its first delivery of rail cars and locomotives that are capable of running on diesel of electric power in 2024.

The project will start with $200 million already allocated by Congress. Future funding would need approval.

Read more about Amtrak in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Take an inside tour of Siemen’s Mobility, which is building Amtrak’s new locomotives.