Amtrak's updated Acela high-speed trains debut in Philly this month
Why it matters: The new trains boast faster speeds, more seats and new amenities.
Driving the news: Amtrak's NexGen Acela upgrades and expands service along the busy Northeast Corridor.
The investment's meant to compete with air travel for moving between Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington.
By the numbers: Five new trains will debut later this month, followed by another 23 through 2027. Other improvements include:
💨 Speeds top out at 160 mph, up 10 mph from the older trains.
💺 Passenger capacity will increase by 27% in the new trains.
😌 A smoother ride and wider, more comfortable seat design.
🛜 Free, high-speed Wi-Fi, as well as individual power outlets and reading lights.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
16 hours ago
- Business Insider
The top 10 fastest trains in the world, ranked
Amtrak announced a new, faster line of Acela trains that will begin service starting August 28. The NextGen Acela trains will reach a top speed of 160 mph, surpassing the current fleet by 10 mph. In China, the Fuxing Hao trains typically reach a maximum speed of 217 mph. The US is still trying to join the high-speed rail club. On Thursday, Amtrak announced a new line of faster trains to run in the Northeast Corridor, connecting cities like Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, starting on August 28. The NextGen Acela trains will reach a top speed of 160 mph, outspeeding the current Acela fleet by 10 mph. The Acela is already the fastest train in the US. It's followed by the Florida Brightline, which runs between Orlando and Miami at a top speed of 125 mph. Running on "ancient tracks," as reported by The New York Times, even the fastest Amtrak trains still deal with outdated transit design that prevents higher speeds. While promising developments in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Texas are currently under construction, high-speed passenger trains — often characterized as systems that run above 186 mph — do not yet exist in the US, The New York Times reported. Here are the 10 fastest trains in the world, from countries including France and China. This ranking is based on the speed at which the trains typically run rather than their top recorded speed, which often counts test runs. 7 (tie). Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000, Italy 7 (tie). Shanghai Maglev, China 6. KTX, South Korea 5. AVE S-103, Spain 2 (tie). Al Boraq, Morocco 2 (tie). TGV, France 2 (tie). JR East E5, Japan
Boston Globe
17 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Could old Acelas be a providential opportunity?
After all, the 'FirstGen' Acelas can clearly handle the route, having served it for more than 20 years. Could Rhode Island or Massachusetts buy the soon-to-be-retired trainsets, slap some purple paint on them, and start a Providence-to-Boston shuttle? I emailed Amtrak's spokesperson, Jason Abrams, about the fate of the old Acelas. Here's what he said: 'Amtrak will decommission the FirstGen Acela trainsets per our current fleet decommissioning process, which includes disposing of the trainsets safely per all applicable regulations and allows for private organizations to acquire.' Advertisement As a great Rhode Islander once put it, that seems to mean Go ahead, tell me how dumb an idea it is seems so sensible for both states. Advertisement More, faster commuter rail service would help workers and businesses in Boston if Providence, with its lower-cost housing, was more accessible. And it would boost Rhode Island's economy to connect it with the economic engine of Boston. Amtrak trains do provide that speedy service now, but the timetable isn't very convenient for someone who wants to live in Providence and commute to Boston. Tickets are also often much more expensive than the T's $12.25 one-way fare. For instance, when I checked on Friday, the cheapest seat on Amtrak's 8:41 a.m. departure — the only one that gets you to South Station before 10 a.m. — was $53. And if you want to get to Boston before 9 a.m. on Amtrak, forget it — your only choice leaves Providence at 12:26 a.m. The downside of express commuter rail trains is that if they replace current Providence Line departures, the result would be fewer trains for commuters in suburban Massachusetts local stops. Trains that used to stop in Attleboro and Mansfield would speed through them instead. Adding new express departures on top of the existing schedule would solve that problem, but run into a different one — South Station's So Providence commuters probably shouldn't hold their breath. But hey, in another 20 years or so, when the new Acelas are nearing retirement… This is an excerpt from , a Globe Opinion newsletter about the future of transportation in the region. Sign up to . Advertisement Alan Wirzbicki is Globe deputy editor for editorials. He can be reached at
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Forbes
Amtrak's High-Speed NextGen Acela Ready To Roll
Amtrak's NextGen Acela Amtrak As a frequent rider on Amtrak's Acela, which connects the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston, I'm happy to announce that high-speed rail travel between Boston and Washington, DC is about to take a leap forward. On August 28,2025, after years of anticipation and delays, Amtrak will launch the NextGen Acela. It's a high-speed train, hopefully the first of many such improvements, as the US finally rolls out some high-speed rail capability. 'NextGen Acela is more than a new train—it's an evolution of travel.' There are 28 brand new Amtrak trainsets entering service through 2027 that are being manufactured by Alstom. Five of the new trainsets will begin running on August 28, 2025, with the additional 23 trainsets joining the fleet through 2027. On board the NextGen Acela Amtrak High speed, in this case, is relative. While the new NextGen Acela is capable of running at speeds of up to 160 mph, that's only about 10 miles per hour faster than current Acela top speed. It remains to be seen how much faster the overall travel time will be between Boston and New York, for example, which currently clocks in at three hours and thirty minutes. In my forthcoming book, National Geographic's 100 Train Journeys of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Rides (published in October 2025), I cover high-speed trains around the world in places as diverse as China, Europe, and Japan. To compare with the NextGen Acela, the Shanghai Maglev train in China is currently the fastest train in operation, at 268 mph, but that's a record that's likely to be broken very soon (and already has been shattered in test runs of newer trains in Japan). Still, for those of us who live in the Northeast and ride the Acela with some frequency, this is good news. Amtrak's NextGen Acela Amtrak The NextGen Acela fleet was assembled at Alstom's facility in Hornell, NY, by Machinists Union workers, using components from over 180 suppliers across 29 states and creating approximately 15,000 U.S. jobs, according to Amtrak. The new NextGen Acela trains will offer 27% more seats per departure, a much-needed increase in capacity on trains that are often running at full capacity. In addition, they will have expanded weekday and weekend schedules. The new trains promise 'a first-class travel experience for every passenger,' says Amtrak, with ergonomically designed seats, expansive windows, more legroom, and USB ports and power outlets at every seat. The new trains will offer free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, as well as reading lights. These amenities promise to take the Acela experience to another level, maybe a bit closer to the comforts found on European high-speed trains. Dining on board the Amtrak NextGen Acela Amtrak An enhanced on-board dining experience, with a selection of high-quality fresh food and beverages available in the new Cafe Acela, will also debut, with menus overseen by celebrity restaurateur Stephen Starr. 'NextGen Acela is more than a new train—it's an evolution of travel,' said Amtrak President Roger Harris. 'In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel.' Amtrak's Fleet Modernization NextGen Acela is part of Amtrak's broader fleet modernization plan, which includes new Amtrak Airo trains debuting on the Amtrak Cascades, Northeast Regional, and East Coast routes. The company has more efficient long-distance locomotives and is promising upgraded interiors in Coaches, Dining Cars, Sleepers, and Sightseer Lounges, with new seat cushions, upholstery, lighting, and finishes. In the coming months, Amtrak will be operating both the current Acela equipment and the NextGen Acela trains as the new trains transition into the fleet. You can book NextGen Acela tickets on the Amtrak app, website and at station kiosks. The new trains will be gradually phased in over the next two years and run alongside the current Acela trains. Visit Amtrak for details. Forbes 3 Long-Distance Amtrak Routes That Make For An Unforgettable Rail Trip By Everett Potter
