“Amtrak is proud to celebrate this major achievement for the new Acela fleet program, as we are bringing customers one step closer to enjoying the benefits of these new trains,” said Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson. “With strong demand for Acela travel continuing to grow, we will test the trains to ensure customers will have safe and reliable service with modern amenities when these trains go into service next year.”
“Alstom is immensely pleased to partner with Amtrak to deliver Acela high-speed trainsets for service on the Northeast Corridor,” said Jérôme Wallut, Senior Vice-President for Alstom in North America. “We would like to thank and congratulate all of our employees, suppliers and partners who helped make this important milestone a reality. This milestone is another step closer in the realization of high-speed train manufacturing here in America.”
Amtrak served more than 3.5 million Acela customers in fiscal year 2019, a 4.3% increase from fiscal year 2018. In Dec. 2019, Acela had its best month ever, with a 16% ridership increase over the previous year.
The new trains will accommodate nearly 25 percent more customers while continuing the spacious, high-end comfort of the current Acela service. Each train will feature improved Wi-Fi access, personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights and feature sustainable components, including seating made from recycled leather.
Acela trains are also the country’s fastest, most comfortable and all-electric intercity trains, providing a more environmentally friendly way to travel. Amtrak will further reduce its carbon footprint by using 40 percent less energy per Acela customer when these trains enter service.
In preparation for the new fleet, Amtrak is undertaking a record amount of track and infrastructure work along the NEC aimed at improving ride quality, increasing reliability, and increasing overall on-time performance. Additional information about Amtrak’s support of the new Acela can be found at Amtrak.com.
Alstom is building the next generation high-speed Acela trainsets using parts manufactured by nearly 250 suppliers in 27 states, with 95 percent of the components produced domestically. More than 1,300 new jobs are being generated in nearly 90 communities across the United States to support production, including the creation of new, sustainable, high-tech, engineering and manufacturing jobs. Alstom employs more than 800 people in Hornell, including members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
The prototype set will travel from Buffalo, N.Y., to La Junta, Colo., via Chicago, from Feb. 17 to 19, on the route used by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Southwest Chief trains. Those who want to see or take photos of this movement are reminded to stay well-away from the tracks and platforms, and should absolutely not trespass on private railroad property.
Alstom has also completed the assembly of its second trainset, which is expected to travel to Amtrak’s Penn Coach Yard in Philadelphia for testing in March 2020. The construction of the third trainset began in November 2019 and is tentatively scheduled to travel to Philadelphia for testing in September 2020.
— From an Amtrak news release. Feb. 13, 2020
Will the second and third train set have complete interiors or will they also have no interior?
9 months of testing???
Penelope Vinson is correct. This was one of the undoings of Acela Gen 1. Many late change controls added weight to the consist affecting weight balance. This created unwanted vibrations which had to be mitigated after it went into service.
They will probably take account of the weight missing by placing death weight in the cars .
Does that mean they put a halt to other trainsets construction ( except the 2 others actually in construction ) to get the results of the testing in Puablo ?
Feature that airliners are much more susceptible to disaster from unbalanced loading of both passengers and cargo than rail cars are.
The weight and distribution of the interior furnishings can have a big influence on the tilt and balance performance of the first train set. Testing before installation of the interior may yield a different result than had the interior been installed first. Aircraft manufacturers test furnished airliners with sandbags representing the weight of passengers and luggage.