Amtrak says it’s ready to hit the gas, or in this case, the rails. The nation’s rail system is rolling out five new NextGen Acela trains, capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.
Where the new trains will run
The NextGen Acela will operate along Amtrak’s busiest stretch: Washington, D.C., to Boston. It’s the latest upgrade to the Acela line that debuted in 2000. Since then, Amtrak says more than 69 million passengers have boarded an Acela train. The current fleet tops out at 150 mph, making the new model the fastest train in the U.S.
What’s new for riders
Amtrak says the NextGen Acela can carry 27% more passengers, and it features modern upgrades, including high-speed Wi-Fi, wider first-class and business-class seats that offer a more comfortable and smoother ride.
Both old and new Acelas will run for now, with more frequent trips along the Northeast Corridor. The rollout is years late – originally expected in 2022 – making today’s launch a long-awaited milestone.
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According to Amtrak, nearly 70 million passengers have ridden on Acela trains since they began operating in 2000.
‘Beautiful, fast, American-made’
Amtrak President Roger Harris said the trains are “beautiful, they are fast, they are state-of-the-art, and they are American-made.” According to CNBC, parts were manufactured in nearly 30 states, creating more than 1,200 jobs, with 95% of the train built in the U.S. in partnership with the French company Alstom.
Amtrak’s financial picture and what’s next
Acela brought in about $530 million in revenue from 3 million riders in 2024. However, Amtrak as a whole remains in the red, generating $3.6 billion last year against nearly $9 billion in expenses, resulting in an operating loss of $705 million.
The company has been under political pressure, too. In March, President Trump demanded management changes, leading to the resignation of Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. Congress also approved $2.4 billion in funding this spring, while Amtrak cut 450 jobs in May in an effort to save $100 million annually.
By 2027, Amtrak plans to have all 28 NextGen Acela trains running along the Northeast Corridor.
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Author: Craig Nigrelli
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