USA: A fleet of five eleven-car Acela II trainsets has commenced operation on the route connecting Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., from 28 August.
Amtrak, the operator, has ordered a total of 28 trains, with the remaining 23 sets expected to enter service by 2027. The introduction was originally planned for 2021 but experienced multiple delays, partly due to design modifications.
The new trains have increased capacity compared to the existing fleet, seating 386 passengers, a 27% increase. They are authorised to operate at speeds of up to 257 km/h, compared to 240 km/h for the Acela I. While the design speed of the Acela II is 300 km/h, infrastructure constraints currently limit maximum operational speeds.
Equipped with an active tilt system, the trains can negotiate curves at speeds up to 30% faster than conventional trains while maintaining passenger comfort. The interior is divided into three service classes, offering a modern and comfortable travel experience.
