Horizon Fleet

Horizon cars are single-level intercity passenger railcars used by Amtrak, the national rail operator in the United States. Built between 1988 and 1990 by Bombardier Transportation, the Horizon fleet consists of 104 cars configured as standard coaches and food service cars. Designed for short-distance corridor service, the cars were based on the Comet commuter railcars, but modified for intercity travel. The Horizon fleet has been primarily assigned to routes in the Midwest. In March 2025, the cars were withdrawn from service due to corrosion issues.

History

Amtrak contracted with Bombardier in 1988 to build 104 passenger cars derived from the Comet design, which Bombardier was already producing for commuter railroad agencies. This allowed for rapid delivery and avoided the need for federal funding, making the Horizon fleet the first Amtrak railcars procured entirely through private financing.

Bombardier assembled the cars in Barre, Vermont and delivered them between 1989 and spring 1990. The order included 86 coaches and 18 food service cars. The first Horizon cars entered revenue service in April 1989.

Amtrak considered ordering 23 additional Horizon cars in 1994 to replace its fleet of troublesome gas-turbine Turboliner trainsets on the Empire Corridor, but the order was never finalized.

On March 26, 2025, Amtrak withdrew all Horizon cars from service after the discovery of widespread corrosion on cars. The removal disrupted service on several routes while Amtrak worked to reposition equipment.

Design

The Horizon cars were adapted from the Comet II design, which itself was based on the original Comet I built by Pullman-Standard between 1970 and 1973. Bombardier modified the design for intercity use, increasing comfort and adding amenities for longer-distance travel.

Horizon cars ride on General Steel Industries GSI-G70 outboard bearing trucks and are capable of speeds up to .

The Horizon fleet included 72 standard coaches that seated between 76 and 82 passengers, along with 14 accessible coaches that accommodated 72 passengers and featured dedicated wheelchair spaces. All coaches were later retrofitted for accessibility, reducing capacity to between 68 and 72 passengers.

The 18 food service cars were built in two configurations: café/club cars with seating for 32 passengers at tables and 19 in Business Class, and dinette cars with seating for 48 passengers at tables. Both types featured a central food service counter.

Routes served

, Horizon cars were primarily assigned to the Chicago-based Amtrak Midwest services, including:

* '' Borealis''
* ''Hiawatha''
* Illinois Service (''Carl Sandburg'', '' Illini'', ''Illinois Zephyr'', ''Lincoln Service, Saluki'')
* Michigan Services (''Blue Water'', ''Wolverine'')
* ''Missouri River Runner''

Additionally, Horizon cars were also assigned to:
* '' Cascades''
* '' Downeaster''

See also

* Shoreliner - Similar cars operated by Metro-North Railroad.

References

External links

Amtrak Photo Archives- Horizon Fleet Cars

{{Amtrak rollingstock

Amtrak rolling stock
Rail passenger cars of the United States
Bombardier Transportation rail vehicles
Train-related introductions in 1989