Amtrak Launches NextGen Acela Trains on Northeast Corridor

Amtrak has unveiled its NextGen Acela trains for the Northeast Corridor, a historic moment for modern U.S. high-speed rail. The new fleet offers advanced comfort, efficiency and technology to travelers on the East Coast. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The first departures were 5 a.m. from Washington, D.C., and 6 a.m. from Boston, the first full fleet replacement since the Acela service started operation in December 2000.

Amtrak President Roger Harris said:

‘Acela’ is a name most people associate with high-speed and today that is more true than ever,” W. Commuter Railroads\Block It’s going to be the future of high-speed rail in the United States for the next 30 years and beyond. On behalf of all of us at Amtrak, I’m delighted to welcome you to NextGen Acela. The future of high-speed rail is now.

NextGen Acela Brings Modern Amenities

Built by Alstom in its Hornell, New York, facility, the NextGen Acela fleet sustains approximately 15,000 jobs in the United States from over 29 suppliers in over 19 states and also 70 employees in Rochester and New York City, highlighting Amtrak’s economic impact on U.S. manufacturing.

Don’t miss…Albury Station bridge design plan revealed for Inland Rail

The new cars have 27% more seats, faster Wi-Fi, new interiors, and new café cars. Power outlets, reading lights, as well as enhanced seating plans, to help passengers make their trip more productive and comfortable, are available.

Service Expansion Across the Corridor

So far, NextGen Acela services can be seen on Amtrak’s website and mobile app. Weekday trains 2153, 2154, 2170, and 2173 stop. However, weekend services will service train numbers 2250 and 2251 on Saturdays and 2248, 2258, 2259, 2271 on Sundays.

At the Washington Union Station event, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said:

“By replacing some of the oldest, but all of the least reliable and least efficient, express trains, the new Acela Express will provide us with increased capacity, higher reliability, and greater physical, operational and market flexibility,” said Moorman. But we’re not stopping there. Instead of a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has become rundown. By taking back station management, we will be able to help make this city safe and beautiful for a fraction of the price.”

As part of Amtrak’s wider modernization effort

The NextGen Acela rollout is just one piece of Amtrak’s larger plans to upgrade its fleet and infrastructure. At the same time that it is rolling out this new fleet, the company is also gearing up to launch its new Airo trains on services including the Northeast Regional and Amtrak Cascades.

Long-distance trains are also expected to see new locomotives, with current railcars to be refitted with new seats, lighting, and interior finishes to improve the customer experience.

Source: railway-news.com

What improvements will passengers see on the new Amtrak NextGen Acela trains?

Passengers will benefit from faster Wi-Fi, more seating, new interiors, redesigned seating configurations and improved café car service with a more comfortable and reliable ride.

When will the full NextGen Acela fleet enter service?

Amtrak is aiming to have all 28 Acela trainsets NextGen in service by 2027 and gradually increasing weekday and weekend services as a part of that deployment.

What role is the NextGen Acela program playing in advancing Amtrak’s efforts to modernize?

The program is a part of Amtrak’s modernization plan that also includes bringing in new Airo trains, upgrading long-distance services and increasing sustainability and efficiency on its network.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit