Latest news with #NextGenAcela
Business Insider
a day ago
- Automotive
- 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 Running on "ancient tracks," as reported by The New York Times, even the fastest Amtrak trains still deal with outdated transit design that prevents higher speeds.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
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- 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
Condé Nast Traveler
4 days ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Amtrak's New Acela Trains Are Finally Debuting This Month
This Labor Day Weekend, Amtrak is rolling out brand new high-speed trains along its most popular route. 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.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
Amtrak's fastest train ever will be leaving out of Penn Station later this month
New York, get ready to shave some minutes off your Boston and D.C. escapes: Amtrak's fastest train yet is officially pulling into service. On Thursday, August 28, the first of the long-awaited NextGen Acela fleet will debut on the Northeast Corridor, connecting Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston at top speeds the U.S. hasn't seen before. (According to Amtrak, the new train will have a top speed of 160mph, which is 10mph faster than the current Acela fleet.) The launch is more than just a fresh coat of paint on America's most famous train. It's the first step in a full high-speed refresh: 28 brand-new trainsets will roll out through 2027, offering 27-percent more seats per departure and an expanded schedule for weekday commuters and weekend getaway-seekers alike. Five sleek new trainsets will start service this month, with the rest phasing in over the next two years. The onboard perks are more jet set than choo-choo. Riders can expect free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and reading lights at every seat—because this is the kind of train you can work on without fighting for an outlet. The interiors are designed to feel more spacious, with upgraded finishes and lighting that make the old Acela suddenly look… well, old. Booking is straightforward, too. NextGen Acela options will be available on the Amtrak app, website and station kiosks. The new trains will run alongside the existing Acela fleet as they transition into full service, so you'll want to check which version you're boarding if you're after that 'new train smell.' And if you're picturing these sleek cars coming from overseas, think again. The NextGen Acela was assembled in Hornell, New York, by Machinists Union workers, with parts from over 180 suppliers across 29 states, a project Amtrak says has supported roughly 15,000 U.S. jobs. The upgrade is just one part of Amtrak's broader modernization push. On the horizon are new Amtrak Airo trains for the Cascades, Northeast Regional and East Coast routes; more efficient long-distance locomotives; and refreshed interiors for coaches, dining cars, sleepers and lounges. For now, though, the star is the NextGen Acela—a faster, roomier and more connected ride that aims to make train travel not just competitive with flying, but actually the more pleasant choice. And come August 28, you can catch it right out of Penn Station
Entrepreneur
5 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
New NextGen High-Speed Acela Trains Debut in August
Acela high-speed trains are a popular way for commuters and travelers to get around the busy Northeast Corridor through Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston. About three million passengers ride the Acela every year, and when compared to Northeast Regional service, which runs along a similar path, taking the high-speed train can often save passengers at least an hour. Now, after years of delays, Amtrak will debut its new, even faster, NextGen Acela trains on August 28. Amtrak In a statement, Amtrak President Roger Harris said: "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 new trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour, which is 10 miles per hour faster than the current Acela trains. They are also larger, with 27% more seats per departure. Free, high-speed Wi-Fi, individual power outlets, and reading lights are standard. We've been working on something fast, sleek, and seriously next level. ? 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) August 7, 2025 Amtrak notes in its statement that the fleet of new trains was assembled in New York State. In a video posted to social media, Amtrak Executive Vice President Laura Mason said that the new trains are a "fundamentally better experience than anything Americans have been able to travel on to date in this country." Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success. Amtrak Related: 'America Has a Private Jet Addiction': These States Have the Most Private Jet Flights
