Amtrak's High-Speed NextGen Acela Ready To Roll
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
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