NextGen Acela officially debuts on the Northeast Corridor, heralding a new era of “more, better, faster” for Amtrak customers in the busiest U.S. rail corridor.

NextGen Acela Redefines High-Speed Rail on the Northeast Corridor
Photo: Alstom

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

These modern trains, which are manufactured in the United States, provide dependable, state-of-the-art and cost-effective rail service to passengers.

Don’t miss…CSX Wins Maersk’s Prestigious Intermodal Supplier Award

“The NextGen Acela will be the first high-speed train to be built and operated in the U.S. by Americans,” Alstom chairman and CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge said. After nearly 50 years of experience in high-speed rail, Alstom is thrilled to deliver the most advanced, fastest, and highest capacity trains in the United States, built in America for America.”

Designed and engineered by Alstom, a world leader in sustainable mobility, the trainset is the next generation of Acela, the fastest, most accessible Acela trainset that will be able to reach speeds of 160mph, thanks to a combination of new locomotives and renovated track. These trains are an improvement on one of America’s busiest rail lines and offer 27% more seating and a better passenger experience.

Innovation Driving NextGen Acela Performance

The NextGen Acela will be equipped with lightweight materials, environmentally friendly components and a sleek(ish) new profile. With its Tiltronix active-tilt technology, now trains can take curves up to 30% faster without sacrificing the comfort or safety, and hit top speeds more quickly on the congested Northeast Corridor.

“The NextGen Acela marks the start of a new era in rail for the United States, and sets a new standard of passenger experience and design – illustrating the future of passenger rail, today,” said Michael Keroullé, President, Alstom Americas. These trains, made by skilled, hardworking American craftspeople, will not only make us fast; they will create jobs and help fuel the economy.”

In the cabin, however, the emphasis is on comfort with ergonomically formed seats, plenty of leg room and generous windows for natural light. Added amenities such as USB ports, power outlets, and high-speed Wi-Fipr odriveto offer a premium experience for business and leisure travellers alike.

Economic and Operational Impact of NextGen Acela Target Populations, Route Patterns, and Implementation Sequence _4 Target Population by Route The variety of route-specific scenarios is overwhelming, and we are only able to provide a glimpse of the possible qualitative and quantitative results.

Amtrak discusses the major ADA and operational advantages of the new equipment. Amtrak President Roger Harris said, “Acela has been a symbol of American high-speed rail and the NextGen Acela will bring the premium travel of tomorrow to the nation today. Today is the dawn of a new era for high-speed rail in America.”

Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia said: “From the moment customers step into these new trainsets, they will see, feel and taste the modern amenities that active customers and our future customers have asked for. We’re thankful to government officials and our partners for helping to make this innovative project a reality.”

Amtrak currently has 28 NextGen Acela trainsets on order and expects to increase capacity by 40% to accommodate escalating demand.

This increase enables quicker and more reliable travel between Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, while contributing to sustainability through future brake-energy regeneration and eco-driving technology.

Source: themachinemaker.com

What sets the NextGen Acela apart from its predecessors?

The NextGen Acela offers greater speeds, new energy-efficient technologies, and a higher-caliber passenger experience, providing safer, modern vehicles with the most available seating — technical enhancements include customized components from Alstom, such as the train control network, traction systems, tilt technology and train management systems — with improved comfort and accessibility, all enclosed within a sleek, new look and feel, Amtrak officials said in the press release, which includes ergonomic seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, individual power outlets, USB ports and reading lights, as well as a contemporary food and beverage car.

Where is Acela being deployed?

These state-of-the-art trains will be used on Amtrak’s highly-traveled Northeast Corridor, which runs between Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, NYC and Boston, improving the reliability, availability, and convenience of traveling for millions of people each year.

How is the Next Generation Acela good for US manufacturing?

Produced domestically, the fleet boosts job creation, supports U.S. suppliers and delivers on America’s commitment to lead the world on high-speed rail development.

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

Don’t miss…Alstom Debuts First Metro Train for Pune, India: Project Highlights

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