Acela II (Alstom Avelia Liberty): Design, Production, Delivery, Acceptance

The first set is headed to the AAR test center in Pueblo/Avondale CO for testing/certification in controlled conditions
Not sure if another set will test at Pueblo.

IIRC the second set is due to go to 30th Street Yard.

Heads up, anyone, when this move hits BNSF Chicago Sub.

Happy to walk quarter of a mile to trackside; any other "railfan chases" belong to a day in the past.

ThirdRail7 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:47 pm

mcgrath618 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:26 pm
I know it's a bit premature, but what route will it take?

Will it be brought down the NEC?

I can't imagine it coming down the NEC. I would think it would head to north to Buffalo and head west to Chicago on the same route as the LSL.

As I predicted, up to BUF, west to CHI on the LSL route, and then 3's route west.

mcgrath618 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:46 am IIRC the second set is due to go to 30th Street Yard.

If nothing changes, the second set will go to PHL for NEC testing.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 2:24 pm Heads up, anyone, when this move hits BNSF Chicago Sub.

Happy to walk quarter of a mile to trackside; any other "railfan chases" belong to a day in the past.

I look forward to your pictures. It should leave Chi-town on Tues.

What was the power and rider car for the tow to Pueblo? Also,is it the intention to use M-8 type couplers on the Acela II's,
instead of regular couplers?

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/trans ... Yj2KIHjFfc

1st trainset passing through Toledo Today!

PAYWALLED,site forces adware!

I'll say it: I think it's not a great good looking train. The lack of a smooth transition between the slab sided locomotives and tilt profile coaches kills it for me, and the paint scheme is too bright or just clashes too much. Definitely prefer the first gen Acelas!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR5JLQEVczs

Yes, seeing as the train has left the plant without any fairing, I believe it has confirmed my fears of the Acela II being a real minger.

Interesting it has three extra cars. How many riders does a move like this take?

As for the power/cars mismatching, it's not really that bad unless you look for it. These days there are plenty of somewhat mismatched HST running around. The Brightline sets dont match, which I presume means the Via sets won't, either. Also there are plenty of Talgos running around Spain with power that sort of matches the train, but not exactly.

Matt Johnson wrote: ↑Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:34 pm I'll say it: I think it's not a great good looking train. The lack of a smooth transition between the slab sided locomotives and tilt profile coaches kills it for me, and the paint scheme is too bright or just clashes too much. Definitely prefer the first gen Acelas!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR5JLQEVczs

The added red fairings and skirts give it a finished look. Would still love to be a fly on the wall when the marketing company presented that livery gobbly gook presentation.

And is the thin red line at the bottom of the doors new? Is it there for safety purposes at the stations?

A report at another site states the equipment move will depart CUS, where a media Dog and Pony is set for, tomorrow at 345P. With the upcoming rush hour, I'd think BNSF will want adherence to that time.

Oh well, that's about the time to pick up my dry cleaning; guess who might be trackside 'long about then?

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Mon Feb 17, 2020 3:39 pm A report at another site states the equipment move will depart CUS, where a media Dog and Pony is set for, tomorrow at 345P. With the upcoming rush hour, I'd think BNSF will want adherence to that time.

Oh well, that's about the time to pick up my dry cleaning; guess who might be trackside 'long about then?

So we will be able to see it go though the Galesburg Cam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jcW-Rbzg6s

And Chesterdon cam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6BRXDXcGS0

The original concept had a smooth transition between locomotive and coaches. Maybe Amtrak decided to save a few bucks by not having a smooth transition between the completely slab sided locomotives and the tilt coaches, but it looks very chintzy imo.

I play a game named Transport Fever 2 and there is an Avelia AGV and an Amtrak Avelia Liberty in the game. They are based on the same Pendolino platform but the AVG looks so sleek and truly beautiful and the Liberty just looks odd.

Since they are based on the same Avelia platform and made by the same manufacturer, why does the Liberty look so blah? You would think they would look almost identical except for the length.

Let's hope the fairing is still in the plans.

There is a good Alstom video here: https://www.alstom.com/our-solutions/ro ... -favourite