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

Is 50 mph likely the fastest it has gone thus far? I remember reading that Alstom wanted to build a high speed test track, but I have seen no evidence of such in photos/videos from Hornell. The short stretch of electrified track doesn't look long enough to get up to even 50, let alone 186 mph!

As I recall, Pueblo's loop is good for 165 mph. How much beyond 165 they can go there I'll be curious to see.

some of higher speed testing may occur on NEC, priority is now to get set certified at pueblo,braking , PTC , etc etc raising speed beyond that certification can always be done later.

I remember discussion of that and wondering what the videos would look like. Blazing fast trains through the fields and valleys of upstate New York ...

Looks like Pueblo Test Track is going to be given a run for the money.

Backshophoss wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 4:49 pmAn update,The Acela II set left Chicago at 3:30 pm CST!

And it passed MP18.25 (Clarendon Hills station) @ 410 PM. I was walking to the Dry Cleaners about then, saw a WB headlight on 2 Track and took a couple of grab bag photos thst I shared with Mr. Dunville.

Went thru GBB on the darkside freight connection to the transconn around 7:52pm CST
Lighting at the station is not great,just dim+spotty at best.

Moderator Note: moved some off-topic posts.

Backshophoss wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 10:14 pm Went thru GBB on the darkside freight connection to the transconn around 7:52pm CST
Lighting at the station is not great,just dim+spotty at best.

Through La Plata, MO at 23:45 CST

There was a consist shuffle done at Chicago,135 now carries the markers,196 now leads with 144(elephant style) to Lajunta Co.

There must be a change of heart @ One Mass. Seems as if they wanted publicity of this equipment move rather than the usual "stealth".

While it's intended to be a fairly fast transition, for some period of time in 2021 and 2022 at least there will be two generations of Acela running simultaneously. I'm curious to see if they run different schedules. I'll also be curious to see if there's any second act for the Acela 1 rolling stock, either with Amtrak or adapted for some other carrier like VIA Rail. The coaches are still nicer than most rolling stock in the US even after 20 years of use! 100 coaches (or 80 coaches, 20 cafe cars) is a fairly sizable fleet. I took a brief joyride last year and captured a few clips for posterity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohJKouUnM3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBwfTWCudd8

Matt Johnson wrote: ↑Wed Feb 19, 2020 5:34 pm...

I'll also be curious to see if there's any second act for the Acela 1 rolling stock, either with Amtrak or adapted for some other carrier like VIA Rail. The coaches are still nicer than most rolling stock in the US even after 20 years of use! 100 coaches (or 80 coaches, 20 cafe cars) is a fairly sizable fleet. I took a brief joyride last year and captured a few clips for posterity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohJKouUnM3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBwfTWCudd8

Moderator Note: for discussion of such, see this topic: Acela Disposition Discussion.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:23 pmAnd it passed MP18.25 (Clarendon Hills station) @ 410 PM. I was walking to the Dry Cleaners about then, saw a WB headlight on 2 Track and took a couple of grab bag photos thst I shared with Mr. Dunville.

Mr. Norman,

Anything in particular strike you about the new equipment?

I guess the "cosmetic" lack of contouring between the Power and Passenger cars.

Looked too much like a Talgo as well. While tnis is a negative to me (mised out on the New Haven's; but one ride during '90 Bilbao to Madrid was enough), I realize that is not to many around here.

Minor points I acknowledge; what really counts is their public acceptance @ the sky high fares needed to make them pay.

My wife, who has no interest in this issue, saw a pic of the new train on the news and said to me, " Have you seen the new Acela train? It's ugly and looks like a gray dildo!"

btg: don’t tell us, tell Amtrak! (And maybe Rapido - maybe they want a side business )