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

First, I sincerely hope the site's technical staff can address the photo presentation issue and restore the same utility that existed pre-Oct 30.

I trust all agree that, so far as the carbody goes, there is strong resemblance between the Airo and the Siemens OBB Rail Jet cars:

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 1:45 pm I trust all agree that, so far as the carbody goes, there is strong resemblance between the Airo and the Siemens OBB Rail Jet cars:

I'd certainly expect that to be the case, since one is based on the other. The main difference (externally) is that the Airo/Venture is about a foot taller and a bit wider.

Matt Johnson wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 1:31 pm As much as I want TGV level service and the Acela brings us as close as we can realistically get on current domestic infrastructure, I think Brightline is a perfect example of what you're talking about. Make conventional equipment look more like an Acela, and suddenly it's perceived as a real HST!

Bingo. 90pct of the customers do not know what's under the skin. They care about punctuality and alcoholic beverages selection.

Tadman wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 9:47 pm Bingo. 90pct of the customers do not know what's under the skin. They care about punctuality and alcoholic beverages selection.

And DB, OBB, and SCNF clearly win there

Colonel, I'm afraid its a "not so fast" regarding DB. Even if the two ICE's I rode, Berlin-Hamburg were "more or less" OT, comments I picked up over there suggests there can be "horror stories". I noted enough platform (Gleis) signs.indicating a revised time.

Last year, riding Nuremberg to Salzburg, it was a misconnect at Munich. The intended Euro City left without me, so the next was a Bavarian Regional with two "hot" cars - and SRO to boot!

That was "sport".

My last experience on DB was 2018. I’d taken my wife to Wittenberg and then Wien for a river cruise.

While my comments pertained to the food, compared to puke-trak, we had no problems with timeliness.

My experiences on Trenitalia and SNCF, Botha year ago, were excellent.

My experiences with DB last time were mixed, too. SNCF? Great, just French. Even the Sybics worked.

Relevance? I wouldn't be surprised if many Acela customers travel overseas for business . They're likely sophisticated enough to boil things down to schedule, cleanliness, and reliability. Not cool looks, or some magic speed achieved. Most of the time I'm over there, speed was a curiosity. High speed rail travel in Europe is pretty boring, actually.

Nasadowsk wrote: ↑Sat Nov 16, 2024 6:09 am High speed rail travel in Europe is pretty boring, actually.

This is not wrong. I prefer conventional trains some days over there for that reason. DB is so efficient that it's kind of like an uber ride in an Acura or Lexus. Very nice, no complaints, but not exactly memorable. Once you clock yourself going 180+ a few times, then you start to enjoy the coffee and working power ports, then you find yourself sleeping or getting work done.

This is perhaps how riding the train should be.

I find that HSR trains really limit sightseeing especially if riding backwards.

At 186 mph, sightseeing isn't really possible anyway.

Nasadowsk wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 7:05 am At 186 mph, sightseeing isn't really possible anyway.

Eh, depends how open it is I guess:

Yews close up details are almost impossible. Distance object without detail are somewhat possible as long as ROE fairly straight.

The Aveila failed to pass another set of FRA required tests relating to emergency egress so it could be a little while longer before passengers actually see the inside of these things!

8th Notch wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:03 pm The Aveila failed to pass another set of FRA required tests relating to emergency egress so it could be a little while longer before passengers actually see the inside of these things!

How are the tests done? Is it same as aircraft or some other method?

8th Notch wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:03 pm The Aveila failed to pass another set of FRA required tests relating to emergency egress so it could be a little while longer before passengers actually see the inside of these things!

What actually failed, the windows? The doors? My first guess is that this is a design issue and some architect is getting fired.