Chasing the Maiden Voyage: A First Look of Amtrak's Future Acela

Exterior view of the first Amtrak replacement High Speed Trainset headed to the test track in Pueblo Colorado for testing. This is the first in the order of many train sets to replace the current generation Accela Trainsets in use now. They will be all electric and run from Boston to Washington D.C. The trainsets are longer and have a higher passenger capacity, engineered with a slightly better tilt mechanism for curves allowing a slightly higher speed traversing curves. Amtrak has upgraded short sections of track to be 160 mph capable in the Northeast but nothing so far long enough to make a real difference in current transit times. This replacement trainset will be slightly faster but it's real and intended goal is the higher passenger capacity which will generate more money for Amtrak per trip and the fact that the Accela trainsets are getting near the end of their service life.