‘NextGen Acela' trains to debut in late August, Amtrak announces
Get your first fresh look at the new NextGen Acela—and trust us, you'll want to see this through to the end. There's a surprise waiting…
— Amtrak (@Amtrak)
The current trains reach 150 miles per hour on portions of the route between Boston and New Haven, Conn., but only 135 miles per hour between New York City and Washington, D.C., according to
'NextGen Acela is more than a new train — it's an evolution of travel,' Roger Harris, Amtrak's president, said in the 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.'
The trains will offer an 'elevated experience,' with updated seats and winged headrests, more legroom, larger bathrooms, free 5G Wi-Fi, and individual power outlets and reading lights, Amtrak said.
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The trains also
The new trains will feature more leg room and a winged privacy headrest.
Amtrak
The cost of tickets for the new trains will remain the same, said Jason Abrams, senior public relations manager at Amtrak.
As the launch date approaches, travelers should look for more information about how to choose the new trains, Amtrak said. The current Acela fleet started service in 2000.
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The trains were initially scheduled to debut in
The delays did not increase building costs, Abrams said.
As the first high-speed trains made in the United States, the fleet had to be certified under new safety requirements from the Federal Railroad Administration, Abrams said.
'This is something that's never been done before, so obviously there's strong safety testing,' Abrams said.
The trains were assembled by Alstom in the company's facility in Hornell, N.Y., Amtrak said. The company employed union workers who used components from more than 180 suppliers across 29 states, creating approximately 15,000 jobs, Amtrak said.
The new trains will feature updated interior amenities like increased leg room and a winged privacy headrest.
Amtrak
The move is part of a broader modernization effort by Amtrak that includes more efficient long-distance travel and upgraded train interiors.
The new fleet will begin with five trains, with plans to deploy 24 by the spring and 28 by 2027.
The current fleet of Acela trains will be decommissioned as new trains are added, but there is no specific timeline, Abrams said.
Funding for the 28 new trains came from a $2.45 billion loan, part of the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program. The loan was a joint venture between the Federal Railroad Administration and the Department of Transportation.
Information from previous Globe reports was used in this article.
Ava Berger can be reached at
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