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

  • Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.
Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.

Moderators: GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman

 #1534297  by Matt Johnson
 
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.
Last edited by Matt Johnson on Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
 #1534298  by DutchRailnut
 
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.
 #1534303  by Gilbert B Norman
 
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.
 #1534389  by Matt Johnson
 
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
 #1534398  by mtuandrew
 
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.
 #1534427  by gokeefe
 
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?
 #1534438  by Gilbert B Norman
 
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.
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