Amtrak NextGen Acela puts Alstom on Fast Company list

On 24 March 2026, Fast Company’s 2026 World’s Most Innovative Companies list included Alstom. Amtrak NextGen Acela helped drive that result. The recognition centers on Alstom’s role in producing the new trains. In addition, it reflects the project’s nationwide impact. It also reflects the country’s ability to build and deliver modern high-speed trains. Those trains connect communities and support economic growth.

“The NextGen Acela project is a testament to American innovation, creativity and problem solving. Amtrak challenged us to help build a stronger, more connected America – one that creates skilled jobs, revitalizes communities and gives travellers a more elevated, comfortable way to move.”

— Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas

Why Amtrak NextGen Acela drew recognition?

Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies is one of the publication’s signature annual features. Meanwhile, its editors and writers review thousands of submissions across industries and regions. They assess organizations they see as driving progress in their fields. The final list spans early-stage startups and major companies, as Alstom notes.

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As previously covered by Railway Supply, the recognition is tied to this programme. It was shaped by Amtrak’s vision and investment. The company said the Alstom-designed and manufactured train signifies a transformation in American passenger rail. It introduces European-style high-speed trains. They are cutting-edge, comfortable and proudly made in the USA.

Interior features

Also, the design focuses on the passenger experience. The fleet includes expansive windows for natural light. It also includes ergonomically designed seats with winged headrests. In addition, it provides 27% more seating than the legacy fleet. Passengers also have free high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi. They also have power outlets and reading lights at every seat. The train also includes the all-new Cafe Acela with Grab & Go offerings. For example, Amtrak’s NextGen Acela page outlines those features.

“The NextGen Acela project is a testament to American innovation, creativity and problem solving. Amtrak challenged us to help build a stronger, more connected America—one that creates skilled jobs, revitalizes communities and gives travellers a more elevated, comfortable way to move,” said Michael Keroulle, President of Alstom Americas. “Together, we’ve shown that high-speed rail can be a powerful engine of economic growth across the U.S. and a catalyst for the country’s next era of mobility.”

Brendan Vaughan, Fast Company’s editor-in-chief, said the companies recognized this year are shaping change. He said they are not simply responding to it. “Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is about spotlighting organizations that don’t just adapt to change—they drive it,” said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “The companies we honour this year are redefining what leadership looks like in 2026, pairing bold ideas with measurable impact and turning breakthrough innovation into real-world value. They are setting the pace for their industries and offering a blueprint for what sustained innovation can achieve.”

U.S. high-speed rail jobs and manufacturing impact

Alstom said measurable economic results were a major reason behind the honour. According to Alstom, the project created more than 1,200 jobs in upstate New York. It includes 800 mostly union manufacturing roles in Hornell. At the same time, the programme supports a wide supply chain. That network spans 180 suppliers, 29 states and 137 communities.

The project also reaches 95% domestic content. It also establishes the country’s first high-speed rail manufacturing ecosystem. Nationwide, it is estimated to support 15,000 jobs. These figures show long-term opportunities in U.S. high-speed rail. They extend to workers and communities across the country.

The company added that the programme has helped build the needed skills base. It has also helped build manufacturing capacity for future high-speed rail projects. Meanwhile, it said that capacity can help deliver those projects more efficiently and competitively. In that sense, the NextGen Acela project is presented not only as a train programme. It is also presented as part of a broader industrial foundation for American rail production.

Avelia Liberty, 160 mph service and Tier III testing

Alstom brought more than 40 years of European high-speed rail expertise to the U.S. It used that experience to produce Avelia Liberty for Amtrak as the NextGen Acela. It uses the same Avelia technology platform as France’s next generation high-speed trains. Separately, Amtrak says the fleet reaches speeds of up to 160 mph. That makes it the fastest train in North America.

The train also includes features for a smoother ride. They are intended to improve comfort on the curves of the Northeast Corridor. Separately, Alstom said it is the first and only train to go through rigorous testing. That testing was required to satisfy the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration’s Tier III safety rule.

Delivery footprint in the U.S.

According to Alstom, the company has delivered more than 12,000 new or renovated vehicles. Those vehicles were for domestic rail agencies and airports. These included:

• New York City

• Chicago

• Los Angeles

• Atlanta

• Boston

• Washington, D.C.

• San Francisco

• Atlanta

• New Jersey

The company also said it delivered the first high-speed trains made in America.

Still, Alstom added that it is the country’s number one private rail operator. It serves more than 20 rail and airport customers. It also moves millions of passengers daily. Together, those points place the project within Alstom’s wider U.S. rail market presence.

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