Alstom and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) have unveiled a full-size model of the state’s future commuter rail cars at Union Station in New Haven, marking a key milestone in the manufacturer’s programme to deliver 60 new single-level coaches for the state rail network.
The wooden mock-up, representing one half of a car interior, showcases the intended seating layout, finishes and accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible lavatory. The model will be open for public tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7–9 a.m. and 3–5 p.m., from 25 November to 6 January. It is positioned in the station’s East Lot and is fully ADA-accessible.
CTDOT placed the 60-vehicle order with Alstom in August 2023 to support fleet expansion and replace older rolling stock dating back to the 1990s. The new coaches will primarily serve the Hartford Line, which links New Haven with Springfield, Massachusetts, and forms one of the state’s core commuter rail corridors.
“We are proud to share the work of our expert engineers and designers and give Connecticut rail riders a glimpse of their future,” said Scott Sherin, Chief U.S. Commercial Officer for Alstom. “These new passenger coaches will provide many years of fast and reliable service, reduce traffic congestion along highways, and help the state achieve its 2030 emissions targets.”
CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto added: “We’re thrilled to give Connecticut riders a hands-on preview of our future rail cars. This prototype makes clear our commitment to rail travel that’s modern and accessible, designed around today’s riders and their need for comfort, ADA access, and thoughtful amenities.”
The new coaches will feature two-by-two seating, laptop tables, extra-wide panoramic windows and a full suite of power outlets and USB charging points. Additional amenities include overhead luggage racks and dedicated areas for wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles. Designed for operations up to 110 mph (177 km/h), the vehicles will carry the orange, white and black livery of CTrail, the brand of Connecticut’s state-run rail services.
First deliveries are expected in late 2026.
Launched in 2018, the Hartford Line was developed to augment Amtrak services along the Interstate 91 corridor and provide a reliable, affordable and sustainable alternative to road travel. The introduction of the new fleet is intended to support projected growth in ridership, improve service quality and strengthen the overall competitiveness of the corridor.
The coaches form part of Alstom’s Adessia commuter rail portfolio, which includes single- and double-deck vehicles that can be configured as locomotive-hauled push-pull sets or as self-propelled units equipped with electric traction. More than 40,000 Adessia vehicles have been sold globally, together transporting over 20 million passengers per day.
Alstom remains one of the largest rolling stock and rail services suppliers in the U.S., with more than 12,000 new or refurbished vehicles delivered to major agencies including those in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and New Jersey. The company is also responsible for Amtrak’s NextGen Acela high-speed fleet.
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