Amtrak's New Acela Trains Are Finally Debuting This Month
Starting Thursday, August 28, the train company will debut its long-awaited NextGen Acela, a reimagined high-speed train that runs along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington DC.
The much-anticipated trains were first slated to go into service in 2022, but their debut was delayed as Amtrak faced several hurdles to deploying them. Nonetheless, the momentous launch will be a significant milestone for the train line. 'NextGen Acela is more than a new train—it's an evolution of travel,' Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. '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.'
Here's everything travelers need to know about Amtrak's new era of high-speed train travel.
What to expect
Amtrak's NextGen Acela trains will reach speeds of up to 160 mph (current Acelas go 150 mph at top speed). However, this may not immediately translate to shorter travel times come August, as the new trains will still be operating on old tracks. Eventually, NextGen Acela trips between Washington DC and Boston could be about 20 minutes faster than the current Acelas, according to Amtrak's 2040 plan.
Instead, the most noticeable difference off the bat will be the onboard rider experience. The new Acela trains will feature a redesigned café car with a new grab-and-go section containing pre-packaged meals and soft drinks—making long-distance journeys all the more bearable. Excitingly, Amtrak is also bringing back its food and beverage cart service, so travelers in business class will be able to purchase refreshments right from their seats. First-class passengers will still be served full meals.
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