Acela: Difference between revisions
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''Acela'' carried more than 3.4 million passengers in fiscal year 2016; second only to the slower and less expensive ''[[Northeast Regional]]'', which had over 8 million passengers in FY 2016. Its 2016 revenue of [[United States dollar|$]]585 million was 25% of Amtrak's total.<ref name="FY2016">{{Cite web |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Amtrak-FY16-Ridership-and-Revenue-Fact-Sheet-4_17_17-mm-edits.pdf |title=Amtrak FY16 Ridership & Revenue Fact Sheet |date=April 17, 2017 |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=November 20, 2017}}</ref> |
''Acela'' carried more than 3.4 million passengers in fiscal year 2016; second only to the slower and less expensive ''[[Northeast Regional]]'', which had over 8 million passengers in FY 2016. Its 2016 revenue of [[United States dollar|$]]585 million was 25% of Amtrak's total.<ref name="FY2016">{{Cite web |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Amtrak-FY16-Ridership-and-Revenue-Fact-Sheet-4_17_17-mm-edits.pdf |title=Amtrak FY16 Ridership & Revenue Fact Sheet |date=April 17, 2017 |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=November 20, 2017}}</ref> |
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''Acela'' operates along routes that are used by freight and slower regional passenger traffic, and only reaches the [[Rail speed limits in the United States|maximum allowed speed]] of the tracks along some sections, with the fastest peak speed along segments between [[Mansfield, Massachusetts]] and [[Richmond, Rhode Island]]. ''Acela'' trains use [[tilting train|tilting]] technology, which helps control lateral [[centripetal force]]s, allowing the train to travel at higher speeds on the sharply curved NEC without disturbing passengers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/features/acelaflash.htm |title=All Aboard Amtrak's Acela |work=The Washington Post |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> The high-speed operation occurs mostly along the {{convert|226|mi|adj=on}} route from New York's [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|Penn Station]] to Washington DC's [[Washington Union Station|Union Station]], with a fastest scheduled time of 2 hours and 45 minutes and an average speed of {{cvt|82.2|mph|0}}, including time spent at intermediate stops.<ref name="nyp-was">{{Cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Northeast-Schedule-W02-010818.pdf |title=Northeast Corridor New York–Washington Timetable |date=January 8, 2018 |publisher=[[Amtrak]] |access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="note1">The timetable gives 2 hours and 45 minutes, minimum, between Washington and New York. Dividing that into the distance traveled, {{convert|226|mi}}, gives an average speed of {{cvt|82.2|mph|0}}.</ref> Over this route, ''Acela'' and the ''[[Northeast Regional]]'' service captured a 75% share of air/train commuters between New York and Washington in 2011, up from 37% in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/business/hassles-of-air-travel-push-passengers-to-amtrak.html?_r=2&hpw& |title=Frustrations of Air Travel Push Passengers to Amtrak |last=Nixon |first=Ron |date=August 15, 2012 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> |
''Acela'' operates along routes that are used by freight and slower regional passenger traffic, and only reaches the [[Rail speed limits in the United States|maximum allowed speed]] of the tracks along some sections, with the fastest peak speed along segments between [[Mansfield, Massachusetts]] and [[Richmond, Rhode Island]]. ''Acela'' trains use [[tilting train|tilting]] technology, which helps control lateral [[centripetal force]]s, allowing the train to travel at higher speeds on the sharply curved NEC without disturbing passengers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/features/acelaflash.htm |title=All Aboard Amtrak's Acela |work=The Washington Post |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> The high-speed operation occurs mostly along the {{convert|226|mi|adj=on}} route from New York's [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|Penn Station]] to Washington DC's [[Washington Union Station|Union Station]], with a fastest scheduled time of 2 hours and 45 minutes and an average speed of {{cvt|82.2|mph|0}}, including time spent at intermediate stops.<ref name="nyp-was">{{Cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Northeast-Schedule-W02-010818.pdf |title=Northeast Corridor New York–Washington Timetable |date=January 8, 2018 |publisher=[[Amtrak]] |access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="note1">The timetable gives 2 hours and 45 minutes, minimum, between Washington and New York. Dividing that into the distance traveled, {{convert|226|mi}}, gives an average speed of {{cvt|82.2|mph|0}}.</ref> Over this route, ''Acela'' and the ''[[Northeast Regional]]'' service captured a 75% share of air/train commuters between New York and Washington in 2011, up from 37% in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/business/hassles-of-air-travel-push-passengers-to-amtrak.html?_r=2&hpw& |title=Frustrations of Air Travel Push Passengers to Amtrak |last=Nixon |first=Ron |date=August 15, 2012 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> |
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The ''Acela''<nowiki/>'s speed is limited by traffic and infrastructure on the route's northern half. On the {{convert|231|mi|adj=on}} section from Boston's [[South Station]] to New York's Penn Station, the fastest scheduled time is 3 hours and 30 minutes, or an average speed of {{cvt|66|mph}}.<ref name="bos-was">{{Cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Northeast-Schedule-W04-010818.pdf |title=Northeast Corridor Boston–Washington Timetable |date=January 8, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="note2">The timetable gives 3 hours and 30 minutes, minimum, between New York and Boston. Dividing that into {{convert|231|mi}} gives an average speed of {{cvt|66|mph}}.</ref> Along this section, ''Acela'' has still captured a 54% share of the combined train and air market.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ea790b66-e29a-11dd-b1dd-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121113209/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ea790b66-e29a-11dd-b1dd-0000779fd2ac.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=January 21, 2009 |title=The Information: Most popular airline routes |newspaper=Financial Times |date=January 17, 2009|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/opinion/01sat3.html |title=America's Not-So-Fast Trains |date=August 1, 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=June 2, 2014}}</ref> The entire {{convert|457|mi|adj=on}} route from Boston to Washington takes between 6 hours, 38 minutes and 6 hours, 50 minutes,<ref name="bos-was" /> at an average of around {{cvt|70.3|mph|0}}.<ref name="note3">The timetable gives 6 hours and 30 minutes, minimum, between Washington and Boston. Dividing that into {{Convert|457|mi}} gives an average speed of {{cvt|70.3|mph|0}}.</ref> |
The ''Acela''<nowiki/>'s speed is limited by traffic and infrastructure on the route's northern half. On the {{convert|231|mi|adj=on}} section from Boston's [[South Station]] to New York's Penn Station, the fastest scheduled time is 3 hours and 30 minutes, or an average speed of {{cvt|66|mph}}.<ref name="bos-was">{{Cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Northeast-Schedule-W04-010818.pdf |title=Northeast Corridor Boston–Washington Timetable |date=January 8, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="note2">The timetable gives 3 hours and 30 minutes, minimum, between New York and Boston. Dividing that into {{convert|231|mi}} gives an average speed of {{cvt|66|mph}}.</ref> Along this section, ''Acela'' has still captured a 54% share of the combined train and air market.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ea790b66-e29a-11dd-b1dd-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121113209/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ea790b66-e29a-11dd-b1dd-0000779fd2ac.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=January 21, 2009 |title=The Information: Most popular airline routes |newspaper=Financial Times |date=January 17, 2009|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/opinion/01sat3.html |title=America's Not-So-Fast Trains |date=August 1, 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=June 2, 2014}}</ref> The entire {{convert|457|mi|adj=on}} route from Boston to Washington takes between 6 hours, 38 minutes and 6 hours, 50 minutes,<ref name="bos-was" /> at an average of around {{cvt|70.3|mph|0}}.<ref name="note3">The timetable gives 6 hours and 30 minutes, minimum, between Washington and Boston. Dividing that into {{Convert|457|mi}} gives an average speed of {{cvt|70.3|mph|0}}.</ref> |
Revision as of 14:19, 29 April 2018
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![]() Amtrak Acela Express train, led by power car #2009, at Old Saybrook, Connecticut | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Übersicht | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Service type | Inter-city, high speed tilting train | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Operating | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Northeastern United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Predecessor | Metroliner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First service | December 11, 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | Amtrak | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ridership | 3,489,311 (FY2016)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | South Station, Boston Union Station, Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stops | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 457 mi (735 km) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average journey time | 6 hours, 38 minutes–6 hours, 50 minutes[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency | 20 per day[2][3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Train number(s) | 2100–2297 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-board services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class(es) | Business and first class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disabled access | Fully accessible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seating arrangements | Reclining leather seats (4 across in Business Class, 3 across in First Class) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catering facilities | On-board café; at-seat meals in first class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baggage facilities | Overhead bins and racks; no checked luggage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | Up to 150 mph (240 km/h)[4] 84 mph (135 km/h) average[5] 70 mph (113 km/h) average[6] including stops | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Amtrak_acela.png/300px-Amtrak_acela.png)
The Acela Express (/əˈsɛlə/ ə-SEL-ə; colloquially abbreviated to Acela) is Amtrak's flagship service along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in the Northeastern United States between Washington, D.C. and Boston via 14 intermediate stops including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. The route contains segments of high-speed rail, and Acela Express trains are the fastest trainsets in the Americas; they attain 150 mph (240 km/h) on 33.9 miles (54.6 km) of the route.[7]
Acela carried more than 3.4 million passengers in fiscal year 2016; second only to the slower and less expensive Northeast Regional, which had over 8 million passengers in FY 2016. Its 2016 revenue of $585 million was 25% of Amtrak's total.[1]
Acela operates along routes that are used by freight and slower regional passenger traffic, and only reaches the maximum allowed speed of the tracks along some sections, with the fastest peak speed along segments between Mansfield, Massachusetts and Richmond, Rhode Island. Acela trains use tilting technology, which helps control lateral centripetal forces, allowing the train to travel at higher speeds on the sharply curved NEC without disturbing passengers.[8] The high-speed operation occurs mostly along the 226-mile (364 km) route from New York's Penn Station to Washington DC's Union Station, with a fastest scheduled time of 2 hours and 45 minutes and an average speed of 82.2 mph (132 km/h), including time spent at intermediate stops.[3][9] Over this route, Acela and the Northeast Regional service captured a 75% share of air/train commuters between New York and Washington in 2011, up from 37% in 2000.[10]
The Acela's speed is limited by traffic and infrastructure on the route's northern half. On the 231-mile (372 km) section from Boston's South Station to New York's Penn Station, the fastest scheduled time is 3 hours and 30 minutes, or an average speed of 66 mph (106 km/h).[2][11] Along this section, Acela has still captured a 54% share of the combined train and air market.[12][13] The entire 457-mile (735 km) route from Boston to Washington takes between 6 hours, 38 minutes and 6 hours, 50 minutes,[2] at an average of around 70.3 mph (113 km/h).[14]
The present Acela Express equipment will be replaced by new Avelia Liberty trainsets beginning in 2021. Amtrak will retire all current trains by the end of 2022.[15]
History
Background
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Amtrak_X2000_at_unknown_location_%283066327013%29.jpg/220px-Amtrak_X2000_at_unknown_location_%283066327013%29.jpg)
Following the success of Japan's newly inaugurated Shinkansen network, the High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965 authorized the U.S. government to explore the creation of high-speed rail, which resulted in the introduction of Metroliner trains, the predecessor to Acela. During the 1980s the US Federal Railroad Administration explored the possibilities of high-speed rail in the United States. On December 18, 1991, five potential high speed rail corridors were authorized ("Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) (PL 102-240)") including the Northeast Corridor.[16]
Amtrak asked railway equipment manufacturers to submit proposals. An X 2000 train was leased from Sweden for test runs from October 1992 to January 1993. It was operated from Washington DC to New York City from February to May and August to September 1993. Siemens showed the ICE 1 train from Germany, organizing the ICE Train North America Tour which started to operate on the Northeast Corridor on July 3, 1993.[17] This testing allowed Amtrak to define a set of specifications that went into a public tender in October 1994.[18]
Building and development
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Acela_Express_testing_at_TTCI%2C_June_2000.jpg/220px-Acela_Express_testing_at_TTCI%2C_June_2000.jpg)
On March 9, 1999, Amtrak unveiled its plan for a high-speed train, the Acela Express.[19] Twenty new trains were to run on the Northeast Corridor.[20] Several changes were made to the corridor to make it suitable for the Acela. The Northend Electrification Project extended existing electrification from New Haven to Boston to complete the overhead power supply along the 454-mile (731 km) route, and several grade crossings were improved or removed.[20][21][22]
In October 1994, Amtrak requested bids from train manufacturers for a trainset that could reach 150 miles per hour (240 km/h).[18] A joint project of Bombardier (75%) and GEC Alsthom (now Alstom) (25%) was selected in March 1996.[18] An inaugural VIP run of the Acela occurred November 17, 2000[23] followed by the first revenue run on December 11, a few months after the intended date.[24]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Joe_Biden_and_Arlen_Specter.jpg/220px-Joe_Biden_and_Arlen_Specter.jpg)
By 2005, Amtrak's share of the common-carrier market between New York and Boston had reached 40%, from 18% pre-Acela.[25] With the increasing popularity of the faster, modern Acela Express, Metroliner service was phased out in late 2006.[26][27] To meet the demand, more Acela services were added in September 2005.[28] By August 2008 crowding had become noticeable.[29]
By 2011, the Acela fleet had reached half of its designed service life. Amtrak proposed several replacement options, including one as part of its A Vision for High-Speed Rail in the Northeast Corridor.[5] In 2011, Amtrak announced that forty new Acela coaches would be ordered in 2012 to increase capacity on existing trainsets. The existing trains would have received two more coaches, lengthening the trainsets from a 1-6-1 configuration to 1-8-1 (power car - passenger cars - power car). The longer trainsets would have required the modifications of the Acela maintenance facilities in Boston, New York and Washington. The first of the stretched trainsets was to have entered service in fiscal year 2014.[30] This plan was cancelled in 2012 in favor of replacing, rather than refurbishing, the Acela fleet.[31]
In January 2014, Amtrak issued a request for proposals on 28 or more new model Acela trainsets, in a combined order with the California High-Speed Rail Authority. These bids were due May 17, 2014.[32] After discussions with manufacturers, Amtrak and the California High Speed Rail Authority concluded their needs were too disparate for common rolling stock and decided not to pursue the joint option.[33]
Cost
Amtrak's original contract with the Bombardier-Alstom consortium was for the delivery of 20 trainsets (6 coaches each, with power cars at front and rear) for $800 million.[34] By 2004, Amtrak had settled contract disputes with the consortium, paying a total of $1.2 billion for the 20 trainsets plus 15 extra high-speed locomotives and the construction of maintenance facilities in Boston, New York, and Washington.[35]
Branding
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Acela_Regional_in_Boston_South_Station.jpg/220px-Acela_Regional_in_Boston_South_Station.jpg)
The Acela name was announced on March 9, 1999, as a part of the original announcement of the service itself.[36] Amtrak originally intended for this move to be part of a rebranding of the majority of their Northeast services,[37] forming three levels: Acela Express, Acela Regional, and Acela Commuter.[38] The branding team based the name "Acela" on the ideas of acceleration and excellence.[39][40]
There were then three classes of trains on the Northeast Corridor (and its extension south to Newport News, Virginia)— Philadelphia-New York Clockers, the express Metroliners, and the umbrella term NortheastDirect, applied to other trains on the corridor (in addition to unique names assigned to each departure). Empire Service trains used the Empire Corridor from New York City to Niagara Falls, and Keystone Service ran along the Keystone Corridor from Philadelphia to Harrisburg.
The Acela Regional name was first applied to NortheastDirect trains 130–133 on January 31, 2000.[41] Those trains, 130 and 131 running weekdays only and 132 and 133 running every day, were the first electrified trains to run on the full Northeast Corridor.[42] As more trains were electrified, they too were rebranded. In 2003, due to confusion between the lower-speed Acela Regional trains and the Acela Express, the Acela branding was removed from the NortheastDirect service (now the Northeast Regional) and the Acela Commuter had its name changed back to the Clocker for a similar reason; the Clocker was ultimately discontinued on October 28, 2005.[43]
Technik
First-generation train design
Acela Express (first-generation) | |
---|---|
![]() Business Class interior | |
Manufacturer | Bombardier, Alstom |
Constructed | 1998-2001 |
Entered service | 2000 |
Number built | 20 trainsets[18] |
Number in service | 20 trainsets |
Formation | 8 cars (2 x power car; 6 x passenger car) |
Fleet numbers | 2000-2039 (power cars) |
Capacity | 304 (44 First Class; 260 Business Class) |
Operators | Amtrak |
Depots | Ivy City, Washington DC Sunnyside Yard, New York City Southampton Street Yard, Boston |
Lines served | Northeast Corridor |
Specifications | |
Car body construction | Stainless steel |
Train length | 665 feet 8.75 inches (202.91 m) |
Car length | 69 feet 7 inches (21.21 m) (Power car) 87 feet 5 inches (26.64 m) (passenger car) |
Width | 10 feet 5 inches (3.18 m) (Power car) 10 feet 4+1⁄2 inches (3.16 m) (passenger car) |
Height | 14 feet 2 inches (4.32 m) (Power car; rail to roof) 13 feet 10+5⁄8 inches (4.23 m) (passenger car) |
Floor height | 4 feet 3 inches (1.30 m) |
Doors | Single leaf sliding plug doors Intermediate passenger cars: 4 End Passenger Cars: 2 |
Wheel diameter | 40 inches (1,000 mm) (power car) 36 inches (910 mm) (passenger car) |
Wheelbase | 35 feet 3 inches (10.74 m) (power car) 59 feet 6 inches (18.14 m) (passenger car) |
Maximum speed | 165 mph (266 km/h) (design) 150 mph (240 km/h) (service) |
Weight | 1,246,000 lb (565 t) (Trainset) 204,000 lb (93 t) (power car) 142,000 lb (64 t) (end cars; Business and First) 139,000 lb (63 t) (Intermediate business cars) 137,000 lb (62 t) (Bistro car) |
Axle load | 51,000 lb (23 t) (Power car) 35,750 lb (16.22 t) (passenger cars) |
Traction system | Alstom GTO inverters and 3-phase asynchronous AC traction motors (Model 4-FXA-4559C) |
Power output | 1,150 kW (1,540 hp) (per motor) 4,600 kW (6,200 hp) (per power car) |
Tractive effort | Starting: 49,500 lbf (220.2 kN) (per power car) |
Transmission | AC-DC-AC |
Power supply | 2850 V DC (PWM rectified) voltage regulated from mains re-inverted to three-phase, frequency and voltage controlled AC waveform. |
Electric system(s) | Catenary 25 kV 60 Hz AC, 12 kV 60 Hz AC, 12 kV 25 Hz AC |
Current collector(s) | Pantograph, 2 per power car |
UIC classification | Bo'Bo'-2'2'-2'2'-2'2'-2'2'-2'2'-2'2'-Bo'Bo' |
Braking system(s) | Dynamic and regenerative (power cars) Electro-pneumatic disk and tread (trainset) |
Safety system(s) | Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Notes/references | |
Specifications:[44][45] |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Acela_overhead_view.jpg/170px-Acela_overhead_view.jpg)
The first-generation Acela trainset is a unique set of vehicles designed specifically to satisfy governmental rolling stock requirements established primarily by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This includes the ability to withstand a collision with a freight train at speed without collapsing. Most manufacturers which bid on the Acela were unable to meet the structural requirements, due to increased costs and complications for the manufacture of the trains, and the need for manufacturers to make significant engineering changes to their standard designs. In the end, only three qualified bidders remained: ABB (Swedish-Swiss manufacturer of the X 2000 train), Siemens (manufacturer of the German ICE), and a consortium of Bombardier (manufacturer of the LRC trains) and Alstom (manufacturer of the French TGV).[25]
The design, using identical 6,200 horsepower (4,600 kW) power cars at each end which operate on a voltage of 11,000 volts AC, and either 25 or 60 Hz frequency, derives several components from the TGV,[46] such as the third-generation TGV's traction system (including the four asynchronous AC motors per power car, rectifiers, inverters, and regenerative braking), the trucks/bogies structure (a long wheelbase dual transom H frame welded steel with outboard mounted tapered roller bearings), the brake discs (although there are only three per axle, versus four on the TGV), and crash energy management techniques to control structural deformation in the event of an accident.[45][46]
The tilting carriages are based upon Bombardier's earlier LRC trains used on Via Rail rather than the TGV's non-tilting articulated trailers. Acela power cars and passenger cars are much heavier than those of the TGV in order to meet the FRA's crash standards.[47] French and Canadian crews testing the Acela referred to it as "the fast pig" due to its weight.[48][49] The extra weight leads to the Acela's power-to-weight ratio being about 22.4 hp per tonne, compared to 30.8 hp for a SNCF TGV Reseau trainset.[46] The Tier II crash standards, adopted in 1999, have also resulted in the passenger cars being designed without steps and trapdoors, which means that the trainsets can only serve lines with high-level platforms such as the Northeast Corridor. Acela trains are semi-permanently coupled (but not articulated as in the TGV) and are referred to as trainsets. Bombardier later used the Acela carriage design and a diesel/gas turbine variant of the power car for its experimental JetTrain.[50]
Operating speeds
With a 71:23 gear ratio, the Acela is designed with a top speed of 165 mph (266 km/h) and reaches a maximum speed of 150 mph (240 km/h) in regular service on three sections of track totaling 33.9 miles (55 km) in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.[7] The Acela achieves an average speed (including stops) of 82.2 mph (132.3 km/h) between Washington and New York,[3][9] and an average speed of 66 mph (106 km/h) from New York to Boston.[2][11] The average speed over the entire route is a slightly faster 70.3 mph (113 km/h).[2][14]
In practice, the Acela's speed depends more on local restrictions along its corridor than on its trainset. In addition to speed restrictions through urban areas, the Acela's corridor includes several speed restrictions below 60–80 mph (97–129 km/h) over older bridges, or through tunnels a century old or more. Altogether, Amtrak has identified 224 bridges along Acela's route that are beyond their design life.[51]
To prepare for the Acela launch, Amtrak upgraded the track along the Connecticut shoreline east of New Haven to allow maximum speeds in excess of 110 mph (177 km/h).[52] West of New York City, the Acela's top speed is 135 mph (217 km/h).[7] One limiting factor is the overhead catenary support system which was constructed before 1935 and lacks the constant-tension features of the new catenary east of New Haven.[5] The Pennsylvania Railroad ran Metroliner test trains in the late 1960s as fast as 164 mph (264 km/h) and briefly intended to run the Metroliner service at speeds reaching 150 mph (241 km/h). Certification testing for commercial operation at 160 mph (257 km/h) involving test runs at up to 165 mph (266 km/h) began between Trenton and New Brunswick in September 2012.[53]
The slowest section of the electrified NEC is the portion owned by Metro-North Railroad and the Connecticut Department of Transportation between New Haven, Connecticut and New Rochelle, New York and is heavily used by commuter trains. Amtrak's trains here achieve 90 mph (145 km/h) only on a limited 4 mi (6.4 km) stretch in New York State and rarely exceed 60 mph (97 km/h) at any time eastbound through Connecticut until reaching New Haven.[54] In 1992, ConnDOT began plans to upgrade the catenary system, replace outdated bridges, and straighten certain sections of the New Haven Line to enable the Acela to run slightly faster. Curve straightening was later deemed too expensive.[citation needed] As of May 2017[update] the catenary replacement and bridge work were under way and expected to be completed by mid-2018.[55]
On July 9, 2007, Amtrak introduced a limited-stop round trip, with trains stopping only at Philadelphia between New York and Washington. This shortened the trip between the two cities to 2 hours 35 minutes, making the trip roughly an hour faster than some of the Northeast Regional train services. These trains were an experiment to find ways to expedite travel time on the Acela; Amtrak has since dropped them.[56]
Acela Express's fastest schedule between New York and Washington, DC was 2 hours and 45 minutes in 2012. $450 million was allotted by President Barack Obama's administration to replace catenary and upgrade signals[57] between Trenton and New Brunswick, which will allow speeds of 160 mph (257 km/h) over a 23 mi (37 km) stretch. The improvements were scheduled to be completed in 2016, but have been delayed; the project is now scheduled to be finished in 2019.[58] This section of track holds the record for the highest speed by a train in the US, which is 170.8 mph (274.9 km/h), achieved in a test run by the U.S./Canada-built UAC TurboTrain on December 20, 1967.[5][59]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Acela_Express_and_Metro-North_railcar.jpg/220px-Acela_Express_and_Metro-North_railcar.jpg)
High speed infrastructure
The dense population of the northeastern United States makes the Northeast Corridor the most heavily traveled portion of the American passenger rail system. Two-thirds of rail passengers in the United States live in or near New York City, also home to the nation's busiest passenger rail station, Penn Station.[60] In order to compete with airliners, Amtrak needed to increase the speed of trains in the region. The former Shore Line from New Haven to Boston is burdened by sharp turns and grade crossings, the crossings being of special concern.[61]
Tilting enables passengers to ride more comfortably on curved sections of track faster than would otherwise be possible, by leaning into the bend. Acela trainsets tilt above 60 mph (97 km/h) on most of the system, but some segments of track in the Northeast Corridor are too close together for the cars to safely tilt while maintaining FRA minimum space between trains on parallel tracks. Metro-North Railroad restricts tilting on the segment of track north of New York which it owns. The system was originally designed for a 6.8° tilt, but the cars were redesigned 4 in (100 mm) wider to accommodate wider seats and aisles that reduced allowable tilt to 4.2° to fit within the clearance constraints of the existing tracks.[45] Traveling at higher than 135 mph (217 km/h) also requires constant-tension catenary, which is only implemented on the more modern catenary system north of New York City. South of New York City, the trains are restricted to 135 mph (217 km/h). By comparison, the Northeast Regional and the now-defunct Metroliner service reached 125 mph (201 km/h).
Acela service was originally expected to begin in late 1999 but was delayed. The catenary system could not support the intended speeds between Washington DC and New York City, but the newer system between New York City and Boston allows the higher speeds. Attention was drawn to the decreased 4.2° tilt, but this was not the root of the speed problem, as the tracks from New York to Boston are similar to those between New York and Washington, and the tilt mechanism is not the factor enabling higher speeds.[18][45] Following repairs, the first Acela service began on December 11, 2000, a year behind schedule.[62]
With the completion of electrification between New Haven and Boston, all trains on the line have become faster partly because of the removal of a 10‑minute delay in New Haven while swapping diesel and electric locomotives, partly from a faster acceleration away from station stops enabled by electric locomotives, and partly because of the faster speed achieved on some sections of track. Acela travels between Boston and New York in about three and a half hours (an improvement of half an hour); New York to Washington runs take a minimum two hours and forty-five minutes.[2] These schedules, as well as the relative convenience of rail as opposed to air travel especially after the September 11 attacks, and direct downtown-to-downtown service have made the Acela Express more competitive with the air shuttles.
Platform track speeds
Due to the high speed at which Acela trains bypass platforms of local stations, concerns have mounted in some communities over inadequate warnings and safeguards for passengers waiting for other trains, including that the two-foot wide yellow platform markings may not keep people at a safe distance. At Kingston station in Rhode Island, the trains pass platforms at 150 mph (241 km/h),[63] while at Mansfield station in Massachusetts, Acela trains pass by at 120 mph (193 km/h).[64] Suggestions include platform safety barriers, or use of different announcements for approaching Acela trains versus slower ones.[65] In 2011, federal transportation grants were awarded to improve Kingston station, including the construction of a third track to be used by the Acela as a through track to bypass the station, helping to alleviate safety concerns.[66] Renovations were officially completed on October 30, 2017.[67][68]
-
Acela passing through Kingston station at 150 mph (241 km/h)
-
Mansfield station with two platform tracks also used by Acela
-
Warning at Kingston station
Outages
In August 2002, shortly after their introduction, Acela trainsets were briefly removed from service when the brackets that connected truck (bogie) dampers (shocks) to the powerunit carbodies ("yaw dampers") were found to be cracking.[69][70] The Acela returned to service when a program of frequent inspections was instituted. The damper brackets have since been redesigned and old brackets replaced by the newer design.
On April 15, 2005, the Acela was removed from service when cracks were found in the disc brakes of many passenger coaches.[71] The Bombardier-Alstom consortium replaced the discs under warranty. Limited service resumed in July 2005, as a portion of the fleet operated with new brake discs.[72] Metroliner trains, which the Acela Express was intended to replace, filled in during the outage. Amtrak announced on September 21, 2005, that all 20 trainsets had been returned to full operation.
Service
Composition
The production sets are formed as follows:[45]
Car no. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Designation | Power | Business Class | Business Class | Cafe | Business Class | Business Class (quiet car) |
First Class | Power | |
Weight (US ton) | 102.0 | 71.0 | 69.5 | 68.5 | 69.5 | 69.5 | 71.0 | 102.0 | 623.0 |
Capacity | 0 | 65 | 65 | 0 | 65 | 65 | 44 | 0 | 304 |
The Acela Express trainset consists of two power cars, a café car, a First Class car, and four Business Class cars, semi-permanently coupled together. It has fewer seats than regional service counterparts. The First Class car has 44 seats, being three seats across (one on one side, two on the other side) and four seat tables. There are 260 Business Class seats on each trainset; these cars have four seats across (two on each side) and four-seat tables.[6][dead link] Reservations guarantee seating but seats are not assigned. Baggage may be stowed in overhead compartments or underneath seats. Trains are wheelchair-accessible. Cars have one or two toilets each, with one ADA compliant.
The car adjacent to First Class is designated as the quiet car, where passengers are asked to refrain from loud talking and phone conversations. Automatic sliding doors between cars reduce noise.
Staffing and operation
Generally Amtrak train crews consist of an engineer, a conductor, and at least one assistant conductor. Acela trains also have an On-Board Service crew consisting of two First Class attendants and a Cafe Car attendant. In addition to the food service provided in the Cafe Car, on most trains an attendant will also provide at seat cart service, serving refreshments throughout the train. First Class passengers are served meals at their seats on all services.[73]
At Amtrak, the On-Board Service crew is considered separate and subordinate to the Train and Engine crews. Acela maintenance is generally taken care of at the Ivy City facility in Washington, DC; Sunnyside Yard in Queens, New York; or Southampton Street Yard in Boston.
The Acela trainsets underwent minor refurbishments between mid-2009 and 2010 at Penn Coach Yard, next to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These refurbishments included new blue leather seats throughout the trainset.[74]
Wi-Fi service
Wireless Internet station service began in 2004.[75] In 2010, with services provided by The GBS Group, all Acela trains began offering "AmtrakConnect" (SSID AmtrakConnectAcela) supporting 802.11 a/b/g/n, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and standard VPN connections.[76]
Notable incidents
- During the Northeast blackout of 2003, a northbound Acela Express train was stuck on the Hell Gate Bridge for over 9 hours until a rescue engine from Sunnyside Yard was able to tow the train back to Penn Station.[77]
- The first Acela grade crossing accident occurred on September 27, 2005, when a car rolled under closed crossing gate arms in Waterford, Connecticut, and was struck by a train traveling at 70 miles per hour (110 km/h), killing three. None of the 130 passengers were injured. The gates were found to have been functioning properly,[78][79] but the incident drew much criticism regarding the eleven remaining grade crossings along Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor.[80]
- On March 24, 2017, an Acela Express train derailed at low speed in New York's Penn Station during morning rush hour. All 248 passengers were safely evacuated.[81] The derailment was caused by a defective section of track, which Amtrak was aware of but had not yet fixed.[82]
- On February 6, 2018, Acela Express train № 2150 split apart between the first and second cars in the trainset at 124 mph. There were no injuries to the crew or the 52 passengers on board, who were transferred to Northeast Regional train № 180.[83][84]
Station stops
Future Acela trains
On August 26, 2016, Vice President Joe Biden announced a $2.45 billion federal loan package to pay for new Acela equipment, as well as upgrades to the NEC. The loans will finance 28 train-sets that will replace the existing fleet of twenty. This will allow for hourly New York-Boston service all day and half-hourly New York-Washington service at peak hours.[85] The new trains will be called Avelia Liberty. They will have 30% greater seating capacity, active tilt technology and could operate at 186 miles per hour (299 km/h) if infrastructure improvements were completed to allow the higher speeds. The trains will be built by Alstom in Hornell and Rochester, New York. The new trains will be phased in between 2021 and 2022, after which the current fleet is to be retired.[86] Amtrak will pay off the loans from increased NEC passenger revenue.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Amtrak FY16 Ridership & Revenue Fact Sheet" (PDF). Amtrak. April 17, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Northeast Corridor Boston–Washington Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Northeast Corridor New York–Washington Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Acela Express Overview". Amtrak. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "The Amtrak Vision for the North East Corridor 2012 Update Report" (PDF). Amtrak. July 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ a b "Acela Express, United States of America". Railway Technology. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Northeast Corridor Employee Timetable #5" (PDF). National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). October 6, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2017 – via National Transportation Safety Board.
- ^ "All Aboard Amtrak's Acela". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
- ^ a b The timetable gives 2 hours and 45 minutes, minimum, between Washington and New York. Dividing that into the distance traveled, 226 miles (364 km), gives an average speed of 82.2 mph (132 km/h).
- ^ Nixon, Ron (August 15, 2012). "Frustrations of Air Travel Push Passengers to Amtrak". The New York Times.
- ^ a b The timetable gives 3 hours and 30 minutes, minimum, between New York and Boston. Dividing that into 231 miles (372 km) gives an average speed of 66 mph (106 km/h).
- ^ "The Information: Most popular airline routes". Financial Times. January 17, 2009. Archived from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "America's Not-So-Fast Trains". The New York Times. August 1, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- ^ a b The timetable gives 6 hours and 30 minutes, minimum, between Washington and Boston. Dividing that into 457 miles (735 km) gives an average speed of 70.3 mph (113 km/h).
- ^ "Next-Generation High Speed Trains". Amtrak. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
- ^ "CHRONOLOGY OF HIGH-SPEED RAIL CORRIDORS". Federal Railroad Administration. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "ICE Train North America Tour". Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau (in German). 42 (Nr. 11): 756. 1993.
{{cite journal}}
:|issue=
has extra text (help) - ^ a b c d e Dao, James; Wald, Matthew L.; Phillips, Don; Dao (April 24, 2005). "Acela, Built to Be Rail's Savior, Bedevils Amtrak at Every Turn". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
- ^ "Amtrak unveils high-speed shuttle trains for busy travelers – Service between Boston, Washington is designed to compete with airlines". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. March 10, 1999. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Amtrak To Unveil High-Speed Service". Associated Press. March 9, 1999. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ "At-grade crossings: Innovation, safety, sophisticated new technology". Railway Track and Structures. June 1, 1999. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Public Archaeology Laboratory (2001). Amtrak's High Speed Rail Program, New Haven to Boston: History and Historic Resources (PDF). National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak).
- ^ "U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater celebrates inaugural run of Acela Express high-speed rail service". M2 Presswire. November 17, 2000. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Amtrak postpones debut of high-speed rail line". Business Courier Serving Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky. March 3, 2000. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ a b Black, Clifford R. (March 2005). "The Acela Express" (PDF) (40). Japan Railway & Transport Review. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ MacHalaba, Daniel (March 28, 1999). "Metroliner name on past track". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ "Amtrak to run last Metroliner". Trains.com. September 8, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2006.
- ^ "Amtrak to increase service for Boston, New York and D.C." Boston Business Journal. September 8, 2005. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Christopher Conkey (August 27, 2008). "All Aboard: Too many for Amtrak – Surge in ridership leads to crowding on Intercity trains". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ "Amtrak To Add 40 Coach Cars To Acela Express Under FY 2012 Budget Plan" (PDF). Amtrak. February 14, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ O'Toole, James (December 13, 2012). "Amtrak to replace high-speed Acela trains".
- ^ "Amtrak and California Request Bids for High-Speed Trainsets" (PDF). Amtrak. January 24, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Amtrak and California drop joint high-speed train tender". Global Rail News. June 24, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Amtrak Sues Train's Manufacturer Over Design Flaws". Los Angeles Times. November 22, 2002. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ "Two equipment makers settle dispute with Amtrak". Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. March 18, 2004. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ "New trains, new name for Northeast Corridor: Amtrak's High-speed Acela service is due later this year". The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 10, 1999. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
- ^ Garland, Russell (March 12, 1999). "Amtrak switch: Is it on the right track? Advertising people say the new Acela name gives a mixed message". Providence Journal. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Jay Jochnowitz (March 10, 1999). "New Amtrak trains on fast track". Times Union (Albany). p. A1.
- ^ "Acela". Corporate Design Foundation. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
- ^ Vantuono, William (April 1, 1999). "Amtrak's vision: Today, the Northeast. Tomorrow America". Railway Age. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ "Amtrak begins Phila-Boston service that's 45 minutes faster "Acela Regionals" go into service as the first step in improvements on the Northeast Corridor line". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 1, 2000. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
- ^ Johnston, Bob (April 2000). "Amtrak opens Boston electrification". Trains.
- ^ Arnold, Laurence (March 5, 2003). "Amtrak will use name 'Acela' to describe high-speed trains only". Associated Press.
- ^ "High-Speed Trainsets" (PDF). Bombardier Transportation.
- ^ a b c d e "Acela Express". Trainweb.org. February 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c Perren, Brian. TGV Handbook, Including Eurostar. 2nd ed. Harrow Weald (United Kingdom) : Capital Transport Publishing. p156.
- ^ McCaughrin, Eric (March 5, 2007). "How the FRA is Regulating Passenger Rail Out of Existence". East Bay Bicycle Coalition.
- ^ Philips, Don (January 2010). "Now it seems to be official: Freight rail is the future". Trains. Vol. 70, no. 1. p. 10.
When the train was being tested at the technology center in Pueblo, Colo., I had lunch one day out on the ballast with the French and Canadian crews doing the testing. The conversation turned to the weight of the Acela, which the crews considered laughably too heavy. At one point, a French engineer confided that the crews called the train "le cochon", meaning "the pig". The man and his supervisor immediately realized he had said too much. They asked me to keep that a secret, and I did for many years until I was sure everyone on the program had moved on to other jobs.
- ^ Dao, James; Wald, Matthew L.; Phillips, Don; Dao (April 24, 2005). "Acela, Built to Be Rail's Savior, Bedevils Amtrak at Every Turn". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
Before the first train was built, the Federal Railroad Administration required it to meet crash safety standards that senior Amtrak officials considered too strict. That forced the manufacturers, Bombardier Inc. of Canada and GEC Alstom of France, to make the trains twice as heavy as European models. Workers dubbed the trains le cochon -- the pig.
- ^ "Bombardier unveils new JetTrain locomotive". International Railway Journal. November 2002.
- ^ "The Acela Story Part 2: Planning for the Not-So-Distant Future - Northeast Alliance for Rail". Northeast Alliance for Rail. July 27, 2011.
- ^ "The Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Master Plan" (PDF). Amtrak. March 24, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Amtrak Ink : Aug - Sept 2012" (PDF). Amtrak. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ "Metro-North Railroad EMPLOYEE TIMETABLE No. 4" (PDF). Metro-North Railroad. June 21, 2010 [February 5, 2006]. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2013. This notes, on p.41, that the 90 mph section is from MP (mile post) 17.2 to MP 21.4; that begins midway between New Rochelle and Larchmont, and ends between Mamaroneck and Harrison.
- ^ "New Haven Catenary Replacement Project Update (May 2017)". MTA. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Northeast Corridor timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. August 4, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 8, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
- ^ Nusca, Andrew (May 20, 2011). "Amtrak lands $450 million to boost Acela to 160 mph". ZDNet. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ Higgs, Larry (September 14, 2017). "160 mph trains will speed from Trenton to New Brunswick by 2020". New Jersey On-Line. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ "High Speed Rail Transportation in North America". June 14, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ "Moynihan Station". empire.state.ny.us. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Jane Dee (March 29, 1999). "Rail crossings safety concern for Amtrak". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Laurence Arnold (December 11, 2001). "Fast train begins service with Washington-Boston roundtrip". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2006.
- ^ Heppner, Frank (2012). Railroads of Rhode Island : shaping the Ocean State's railways. Charleston, SC: History Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-1-60949-333-2.
- ^ Shields, Bill (January 18, 2013). "Mansfield Raises Concerns Over Amtrak Acela Warning System". CBS Boston. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
- ^ Smith, Nell (January 17, 2013). "Mansfield sounds Acela warning". The Sun Chronicle. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
- ^ Riordan, Lisa M. (May 12, 2011). "Federal Grants Will Help Build Line For Acela To Bypass Kingston Station". Narragansett Patch. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
- ^ Gravelle, Kendra (November 3, 2017). "Renovations complete at Kingston Station". Narragansett Times. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Reed, Raimondo Cut Ribbon on Kingston Train Station Upgrades" (Press release). Office of Jack Reed. October 30, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ "Discovery of hairline cracks causes more problems for Amtrak's Acela Express". USA Today. August 20, 2002. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Daniel, Mac (August 14, 2002). "Flaws Shut Down Amtrak's Acela Express Line". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Hauser, Kristine (April 15, 2005). "Amtrak Suspends Acela Trains After Finding Brake Problems". The New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2005.
- ^ Reed, Keith (June 10, 2005). "Acela's return expected in July". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Sperandeo, Andy (May 1, 2006). "The people who work on trains". Trains.
- ^ Grynbaum, Michael (January 13, 2010). "Amtrak Introduces Blue, if Not Corinthian, Leather". The New York Times.
- ^ Glenn Fleishman (July 8, 2004). "Behind the Curve; Access on Metro-North or Amtrak Cars? Not So Fast". The New York Times.
- ^ "Amtrak launches wireless access on Acela trains". San Diego Union Tribune. March 1, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ Hayhurst, Paul (August 16, 2003). "Welcome to the Blackout of 2003".
- ^ McGeehan, Patrick; Wald, Matthew L. (September 30, 2005). "High-Tech Gates Fail to Avert Car-Train Crash". The New York Times. Retrieved September 2, 2008.
- ^ "Investigators Seek Answers In Fatal Crash That Killed Two; Cause of Waterford car-train accident may never be known". The New London Day. September 30, 2005. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
{{cite news}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Family sues over fatal car crash on railroad tracks". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. December 27, 2006. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Katie Little (March 24, 2017). "Amtrak Acela derails at NY Penn Station, some service disruptions". CNBC.
- ^ Emma G. Fitzsimmons; Nick Corasaniti (April 6, 2017). "Amtrak Knew of Flaw That Caused Penn Station Derailment". The New York Times.
- ^ Jacobo, Julia (February 6, 2018). "Amtrak cars separate on Boston-bound Acela train". ABC News. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ "Amtrak train separates on busy Acela line". CBS News. February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ "Amtrak's Next-Generation of High-Speed Trains" (Press release). Amtrak. August 26, 2016.
- ^ Aratani, Lori (August 26, 2016). "Biden announces upgrades for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor". The Washington Post.
Further reading
- Solomon, Brian (2004). Amtrak. Saint Paul, Minnesota: MBI. ISBN 978-0-7603-1765-5.
- Wilner, Frank (2012). Amtrak: Past, Present, Future. Simmons-Boardman Books, Omaha. ISBN 978-0911382-59-4.
- Vranich, Joseph (2004). End of the line: the failure of Amtrak reform and the future of America's passenger trains. AEI Press. ISBN 978-0-8447-4203-8.
External links
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- Amtrak routes
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