Amtrak’s new Acela trains, an updated fleet for the closest thing the U.S. has to a high-speed rail line, are on the slow track to entering service and need adjustments to work properly on the old tracks that form most of its route.
The new trains, originally supposed to enter service in 2021, were built by French train-builder Alstom at a plant in upstate New York; much of the order has already been delivered but can’t enter service until they are approved by the Federal Railroad Administration.
Most of the Acela route, which connects Boston, New York, Washington and select cities in between, is on 19th and 20th century rails owned by freight railroads, with passenger service taking second place. Only a few stretches of high-speed track owned by Amtrak allow operation at full speeds over 100 mph.
Amtrak’s most recent statement appears to blame Alstom, saying “We want our customers to experience these new train sets as soon as possible, but Amtrak cannot operate them for passenger service until Alstom has completed testing and meet all safety requirements. Based on currently available data from Alstom, the initial revenue launch is anticipated to be delayed to 2024.”
Alstom, on the other hand, blames the condition of the system, saying “The modeling of the wheel to track interface is particularly complex due to age, condition, and specific characteristics of Amtrak infrastructure on the Northeast corridor, and especially the existing tracks.”
Hopefully, by the time the new trains become old trains, some of the planned infrastructure improvements on the Northeast Corridor will allow true high-speed operation!
