New York City to host inaugural run of the country's quickest train train come August.
Starting August 28, the NextGen Acela, America’s fastest train, will be in commercial service on the Northeast Corridor. This state-of-the-art train offers a premium experience with amenities that savvy travelers expect today.
Key Features of the NextGen Acela
- Top speed of up to 160 mph (about 260 km/h): The NextGen Acela is 10 mph faster than its predecessor, the Acela Express.
- 27% more seats per trainset: The NextGen Acela boasts 27% more seats, including eight wheelchair spaces, improving passenger capacity and accessibility.
- Modern active tilting technology: This technology allows for smoother, faster travel on curvy sections of the Northeast Corridor track without causing passenger discomfort.
- Powerful engines and regenerative braking system: Each power car has 3,500 horsepower and a sophisticated regenerative braking system for energy efficiency and smooth acceleration/deceleration.
- Lightweight aluminum alloy body and improved aerodynamics: These features reduce drag, noise, and energy consumption, resulting in a quieter and more efficient ride.
- Interior amenities: The train offers USB-A ports at every seat, modern seating layouts in business and first-class cabins designed for comfort and luxury, and thoughtful functional design.
- Jacobs bogies: These shared bogies between car ends enhance stability but limit train length flexibility.
- Safety standards: The NextGen Acela is designed to meet stringent U.S. Federal Railroad Administration safety standards with a robust frame.
A Revolution in American Travel
The NextGen Acela represents a major technological upgrade from the earlier Acela Express, aiming for smoother, quieter, and faster rail service in the U.S. Says Amtrak President Roger Harris, the NextGen Acela is an evolution in travel and will set a new standard for American train travel.
The train offers features such as ergonomic seats, generous windows, power outlets, USB ports, onboard food and beverage service, and free 5G-enabled Wi-Fi. The NextGen Acela opens up new travel possibilities from Penn Station in NYC and offers expanded service on weekdays and weekends.
A Step Forward in Sustainable Transportation
The NextGen Acela uses a cleaner energy model than short-haul flights or driving, making it a step forward in sustainable transportation. The train’s modernization plan also includes new, more efficient long-distance locomotives.
The Future of 21st-Century Travel
The broader plan to modernize the Amtrak fleet includes the debut of New Amtrak Airo trains on Amtrak Cascades, Northeast Regional, and East Coast routes. By 2027, 28 brand-new NextGen Acela trains are set to hit the tracks. The NextGen Acela project has created an estimated 15,000 jobs in the U.S.
More details on how to find and select Amtrak tickets for NextGen Acela trains will be available as the official launch approaches. The new trains have top speeds of 160 mph, embodying the future of 21st-century travel.
[1] Amtrak. (2021). NextGen Acela. Retrieved from https://www.amtrak.com/nextgenacela
[2] Amtrak. (2021). NextGen Acela technical specifications. Retrieved from https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/amtrak/nextgenacela/NextGenAcela_Specifications.pdf
[3] Amtrak. (2021). NextGen Acela - America's Fastest Train. Retrieved from https://www.amtrak.com/news/nextgen-acela-americas-fastest-train
[4] Federal Railroad Administration. (2021). Safety standards for high-speed rail. Retrieved from https://www.fra.gov/regulations-and-standards/safety-standards-and-guidance/safety-standards-for-high-speed-rail
- The NextGen Acela, a step forward in sustainable transportation, utilizes a cleaner energy model than short-haul flights or driving, incorporating technology that benefits both the industry and the environment.
- In the realm of 21st-century travel, the economic sector of finance is also projected to experience growth with the anticipated increase in passengers using modern rail services like the NextGen Acela, offering premium amenities such as USB ports and free 5G Wi-Fi.
