Slow, but sure.
It really is annoying when promised improvements take a year or two longer than was promised . That’s exactly where Amtrak stands regarding the introduction of its new Acela trains. We had been promised the new rail cars would be on the tracks this whole year- yet, we anxiously await improved service on this expensive (and almost fast) service to arrive in seven or so months hence.
The new rail cars are manufactured by Alstom, a French company. But, to meet tax/sales advantages, Alstom reopened and operates an historic rail facility in Hornell, New York. This is where trains were built in the 1800s for the Erie Railroad, which connected New York City and Western New York.
The now upgraded and modernized facility is producing the new Acela trains that theoretically should top out at around 185 mph- but given the state of the rail lines in the Northeast Corridor, we will be lucky if the trains can maintain 160 mph for more than a small portion of the trip.
Moreover, Amtrak has the train making about 6 stops between DC and Manhattan. Instead of running a few express trains (the best solution would be the first and last of the day), which the in-between schedules only making one or two stops (at different stations) along the route. With two waiting trains at those stations ready to take passengers back a station or two or ahead a station or two. Making better use of the high speed capabilities of these new trains.
The conventional (non-Acela) train fare from DC to NY is about $ 140, it’s $ 265 on Acela and about $ 450 for first class travel. The first class air fare is what one would pay for the shuttle (air transport). Of course, bus fares save one a fortune, with a cost of about $ 35.
The new Acela trains will seat three passengers across (thereby letting the seats be wider), and will have more amenities (USB ports, adjustable reading lights, and personal electric connections) available.
Amtrak will bring on board 28 train sets to form the fleet- which currently only has 20 older version trains. More trains is yet another improvement in service.
(By the way, this Alstom facility was granted the construction bid for new Chicago-area trains, which will radically improve their service, too.)
But. Amtrak is not just concentrating on improving the Acela experience. It is also upgrading its main fleet- the ones that has been in place for the past 50 years. These new cars are being built by Siemens Mobility in California (the cars are known as the Airo), replete with panoramic windows, movable headrests, and tablet holders. The fleet is expected to number between 70 and 85 train sets. These are very similar to the fleet that works along the Florida corridor (Brightline, a private rail service), with top speeds of about 125 mph. To cut down on down time, these new trains will be bidirectional, which means moving the locomotive from one end of the train to the other will not be required when reversing direction.
The first use for the new trains will be in the Cascades corridor (Pacific Northwest), followed by the Northeast Corridor and then the East Coast Palmetto routes.
As I said, slowly but surely.
Oh- and today is the Second Day of Chanuka…
