NEW CASTLE, Del. — Amtrak has provided a first look at the interior of its next-generation Acela high speed trains, displaying interior mock-ups at a press event Tuesday at an Alstom facility.
The new exterior design of the new equipment [see “A first look at the next-generation Acelas,” Trains News Wire, June 13, 2019, and “New Acela Rising,” September 2019 Trains] is accompanied by interiors for first class, business class, and snack cars unlike anything in the current Amtrak fleet.
In both classes, leather seats with footrests will have adjustable in-seat lighting, more comfortable headrests, personal electrical outlets, USB ports, and integrated handles in the seat backs to make walking through the train easier during travel on the 457-mile long Northeast Corridor, laced with curves and switches. Seats will be fixed, with half facing forward and half facing to the rear. Passengers will be able to select specific seats via an advance reservation system.
Tray tables will offer either a large or small space for use; vertical shades will replace curtains on car windows. All restrooms will be ADA compliant and include changing tables. Snack cars will also be ADA complaint, eliminating fixed seating. Those cars will also feature more self-service products. The snack car will also feature a conductor’s office providing crew access to an on-board closed-circuit TV system. Information including location, train speed, and other announcements will be displayed on six LED screens in each car.
“The next generation of Acela trains will set a new standard for rail service in the U.S. ,” said Vice President of Amtrak Northeast Corridor Service Line Caroline Decker.
A mock-up of the engine cab shows fewer changes than in the passenger areas.
Alstom is building 28 of the nine-car, 378-seat trainsets. Amtrak says the “New Acela Express” is expected to enter service beginning in 2021.
if they are anything like the 1st ones in the mechanical dept, we’ll have to go back to the old nickname, Amtrak Customers Expect Late Arrivals !!! (retired 2 yrs from that Zoo after 40 yrs)
I guess the refurbishment of the current Acela interiors will be finished by then. Do you also wonder why they are being upgraded with replacement scheduled? I would say “left hand-right hand” but it is more likely “Left brain doesn’t know that the right brain is doing” (assumes that Mr. Anderson is using at least one or the other.)
Here is a new video: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/New-Amtrak-Acela-Trains-Will-Take-Riders-into-21st-Century-Comfort-CC_Philadelphia-558480422.html
A few notes:
At 51 seconds note windowless seat
At 1:19 note reporter walks through a food service area. Looks like a self-serve food area with toasters. Many have mentioned before that passengers are not allowed to use microwave ovens now and there maybe health regulations that prevent such. Think this is all about to change. What are the dangers of preparing your own food as the train bounces along? How many people are going to drop their food or get burned? If you are elderly or unsteady on your feet are you going to be able to carry your food back to your seat from the seat-less cafe? This is going to get interesting.
I have always preferred seats facing forward, but I recently rode backwards on a train from Madrid to Seville at more than 160 m.p.h. It was very comfortable. As someone pointed out, rear facing seats are safer in an accident, but not having accidents is preferable. As for food services, I also rode in a business class coach from Seville to Barcelona. Car attendants served a meal at our seats. I can’t recall what I had, but it was good and substantial.
One thing I haven’t seen addressed is what Amtrak will do with the current Acela equipment once all 28 of these new sets are activated. As pointed out, there are still cities with no service and the super liners are rapidly wearing out. Could the used Acela equipment be in worse shape and therefore unavailable for reassignment? I’d like to see an answer.
Wow! A”new standard of rail service” from Ol’ Slash and Burn Anderson. Who’d a thunk it? Just waiting to see what more he takes away from us folk not in the NEC.
Back to the future! Phil Bengston would love the orange and purple, however subdued.
All i need in Bangladesh my handle me Mr Touha
Jim: I watch the webinars and they mention that Amtrak serves 46 out of 48 states. I don’t understand why they don’t serve all 48. And why they don’t serve Nashville. It is defying logic.
Maybe one will be able to beat sitting backwards with the ability to pick seats. But, if the equipment is turned, etc, how can one know? Will the assignment at purchase show a chart as with aircraft?
But, no one pointed out the irony; 21st Century trains and 1930’s infrastructure.
Al Dicenso –
Check out these Amtrak pictures:
http://blog.amtrak.com/2019/08/amtraks-new-acela-fleet-interiors/
Picture 4 – Table placed so that wall blocks most of the view from both seats
Picture 7 – Seats in third row (bottom right) are blocked by the wall
Picture 8 – Seats second row from back wall are blocked by wall
You are correct Christian the 30 yr old sleepers whose premium priced space sells out consistently have the amenities reduced with no new equipment even hinted at & state supported services get gouged by Amtrak all to pay for the poorly patronized Acela’s next Gen equipment. As far as the seats are concerned take them out drop a pole from the ceiling the length of the car with some grab straps then you can face either way! And Charles…calling people who have an opinion opposite yours “nobodies”????
Another thing. These are brand new trains. Can’t they at least figure out how to place the windows or arrange the seats so that every seat gets a window? Seriously? Amtrak expects people to sit next to a blank wall going backwards at 160 mph? Come on guys. Seems like a lazy approach to rail car design to me. Do things right.
Not sure I like the interior color scheme — as for riding backwards in Japan the seats are reversible by passengers for their individual seats or by the crew pushing a button at the end of the car that turns all the seats. There are lots of videos on YouTube of this being done. I’ve seen it demonstrated in documentaries. In one book I own there is a photo series showing the seats reversing. Why can’t we do this in America?
GALEN – Chill out please. I was reacting to an earlier post where it said “Nobody likes riding backwards.” I’m a “nobody”. I often (most often) ride backwards.
GALEN – Chill out plz.
Where does the “seat by a blank wall” show up anywhere in the article? I seriously doubt that they would be that stupid. Also, the trains are designed NOT to be turned, just as the Acelas are.
Lawrence Sell: The current reserved seating site shows an aircraft like chart indicating the direction of travel so you can pick a seat going in the forward direction if you so desire. You are right though, if the train set is turned then that throws the whole thing off.
“Nobody likes riding backwards”, it is posted below, nobody except for all the nobodies who replied that they tolerate riding backwards. I almost always ride backwards and often in deep, comfortable sleep. It’s also safer in a crash.
If you’re seated at a table, always, always, always ride backwards because the table at your abdomen is the worst case for a forward-facing rider in a crash.
When are we going to get the “next generation” of Superliners as those cars are older than the cars they replaced? Typical NEC getting all the attention while the rest of the “national system” goes down the drain!
With a former airline exec in charge of Amtrak, they will probably charge extra for a forward-facing seat.
Don’t you just love sharing an arm rest ?
at lower seat level.
Personally unhappy about being forced to ride backwards. Really not going to be appreciated by the majority of riders.
Like the nice big unobstructed one-piece windows. Oddly the present cafes with seats have high-level windows and this new version is standing room only and the windows are
My wife cannot ride backwards. However, that has never been a problem, especially internationally. When we get reserved seats, they face each other. I ride backwards with no problem.
No seating in snack car may actually get the conductor to use the space they put there for him (instead of hogging an entire table)
Personally I don´t mind riding backwards. What worries me much more, is that the windows don´t fit with tables. Not very comfortable to look over the shoulder in order to watch outside while next to your table is just a wall. I think that stupidity started with British Voyager trainsets some 20 years ago