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

[WhartonAndNorthern]

If Amtrak does have to add an additional Assistant Conductor to the Avelias (AX-IIs?), they ought to negotiate a smaller OBS crew for the reasons Arlington mentioned. Ideally, one or both of the ACs would provide some sort of customer service beyond their train-handling duties, even just “pinch hitter at the snack bar while the OBS crew takes a bathroom break.”

That said, Amtrak has a strong case that it doesn’t need an extra person due to the consist being permanently coupled and more accessible than the AX-I. It’ll be an interesting thing to see when they roll out an operational plan, because Amtrak hadn’t said anything about needing extra crew.

Different unions, different contracts. Then again, they could play the old railroad game of it's only a car if it has couplers. Railroad bills by the carload? No problem: we build a super car. Railroads still consider an intermodal 5-pack as one car for reporting car counts.

[SRich]

Are there already new pictures of the new train?

[Acela150]

The monthly NGEC report for August states that 2 passenger cars are complete, minor delays have occurred but delivery of the first trainset to TTCI is STILL on track for January.

[Backshophoss]

There are under construction pic in Trains a few months back,also in PTJ current issue(2019-3).

[AmtrakLocomotiveEngineer]

Are there already new pictures of the new train?

Unofficial photos, no. However, like anything else, there ARE some pics already out there. I must say, the front of the powercars look sharp and I like them better than the original Acela.

[Acela150]

Are there already new pictures of the new train?

Unofficial photos, no. However, like anything else, there ARE some pics already out there. I must say, the front of the powercars look sharp and I like them better than the original Acela.

I'll take a guess that sometime soon some unofficial photos will show up shortly. With delivery of the first trainset to TTCI on track for January it makes to much sense.

[Rockingham Racer]

There have already been a few photos on Facebook.

[Acela150]

Extremely encouraging news from the monthly NGEC report. A single power car has been tested under its own power at Alstom. Delivery of TS 1 on target for January to TTCI.

[ssresident]

In the newspaper this afternoon:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/ ... story.html

Amtrak releases photo of first prototype of new Acela trains
By Alyssa Lukpat, Globe Correspondent, November 14, 2019

Amtrak released a photo Thursday of the first prototype of the new Acela Express train fleets set to go into service in 2021.
The image shows an Acela train...

[gokeefe]

The drip drip PR on this is being done very well. They're getting free media over and over again.

[Matt Johnson]

If this turns out to be the biggest thing to gripe about, then we're in great shape but does anyone else find the interior color scheme on the new Acela to be too bright and old school commuter train looking? I tend to prefer the more subdued tones in the current Acela interior.

[Greg Moore]

That's my take too. Looks far to sterile and not very cozy.

But you know what, if that's my biggest complaint, I'll still look forward to riding them.

[gokeefe]

Hard to tell with the lighting. Remember those photos are being taken with the trainset indoors. Outside it will probably light differently. This is something the designers almost certainly accounted for.

[Matt Johnson]

I dunno, orange and purple is a tough color combination to get used to outside of a nursery school or kindergarten classroom! I hope the lighting is at least less obnoxious at night than the fluorescent lighting on a typical commuter coach.

[Jeff Smith]

Another article: https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-spe ... 82.article

USA: The first of 28 Avelia Liberty trainsets being assembled by Alstom to operate Amtrak’s Acela Express services has been outshopped at the manufacturer’s Hornell plant, ahead of the start of test running.

Ordered in 2016 as part of a $2·45bn package of improvements for the Northeast Corridor, the trains are expected to enter service in 2021 on the 735 km route linking Washington DC, New York and Boston. The first trainset is expected to be tested at FRA’s Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo before trial running on the NEC next year.

Formed of two short-wheelbase power cars and nine articulated trailer vehicles, the Avelia Liberty trainsets will be fitted with Alstom’s Tiltronix anticipatory tilting technology, and a crash energy management system. This will support a maximum design speed of 300 km/h, although they will initially be limited to 255 km/h when operating on the existing NEC infrastructure.

Each trainset will have seats for 386 passengers, an increase of almost 30% on the current Acela Express trainsets that are due to be withdrawn by the end of 2022. Onboard enhancements include the provision of passenger wi-fi, at-seat charging points and an integrated passenger information system, as well as an advanced seat reservation system and accessible toilets.
...