PHILADELPHIA — Amtrak has released images of the interiors for the new Acela trainsets currently under construction or in testing, and now not expected to debut until 2023.
“Between the sleek design of their interiors, state-of-the-art technology, and sustainable amenities, and innovative safety features, our new Acela trains will help revolutionize American train travel,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said in a press release. He also said passengers “will experience improved, modern, and smoother service on the Northeast Corridor and provide this country with the type of modern train travel we deserve when these trains are ready for service next year.”
The statement may be the first official acknowledgement that the Acelas will not debut in 2022. The 28 trainsets being built by Alstom at its Hornell, N.Y., plant were originally projected to enter service in 2021; that had been pushed back to this spring because of issues with the catenary system [see “News report says debut of new Acelas will be delayed by a year,” Trains News Wire, June 3, 2021].
The catenary issue is that the French didn’t build it. It had previously worked well since 1915.
I believe the PRR electrified New York-Washington in the early 1930s. Prior to that, only Penn Station to Manhattan Transfer was electrified. Steam handled everything south of MT.
When did the New Haven start using electric trains?
The catenary is being upgraded piecemeal. The problem is having to take one track completely out of service between two CP’s. Also, constant tension is only needed where track geometry permits speeds in excess of 125 mph. Otherwise a new and improved version of fixed tension works well, and the existing system is more than adequate for terminal areas and speeds under 90 mph.
They’re really delaying it due to the dismal ridership numbers on the NEC & especially the current Acela. Poorest recovery among the three business units.
Spend 100’s of millions of dollars on new trains, and then let them sit and do nothing for 2 years. What real company would do this?
Now all we need is the horse in front of the cart! Constant tension catenary on the entire corridor so the trains can operate at maximum efficiency. 1930’s catenary for 21st century trains. Only in America.
Judging by the photos alone, it’s not possible to know how roomy or comfortable the seats are, or how comfy the armrests. Need to have a test ride. Also if the accessible bathrooms are anything like in Europe they would take a lot of room — room made up by less space per passenger seat.
I’d like to see an article comparing these seats (of the two classes) compared to an airline seat. Width, recline and pitch.
Those photos will be the same perspective when they go service day 1 & thereafter.
these will be a maintenance headache for Amtrak like the originals. Plus the interiors look very cramped.
I would like to see the acceptance clauses of AX-2s. It may be that the warranty and maintenance periods do not start until each train set enters revenue service.