Amtrak’s upcoming high-speed trains, the Acela, are delayed again — see what they’ll look like

• Amtrak has delayed the entry into service of its new Acela high-speed trains until 2024.

• The new trains have more seats, are faster and more comfortable.

• Take a look inside the new train cars featuring a modernised café and recycled leather seats.

Amtrak’s new Acela trains scheduled to run between Boston and Washington, DC, have been delayed again until 2024.

Source: Amtrak

According to Alstom, the manufacturer of the trains, the problem lies with the old railway tracks on the route.

“Modeling the wheel-to-rail interface is particularly complex due to the age, condition, and specific characteristics of Amtrak’s infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor, and in particular the existing tracks,” an Alstom spokesperson told Insider.

Source: Insider

The trains will not be ready for service until Alstom “completes testing and meets all safety requirements,” an Amtrak spokesperson told Insider.

Source: Insider

But before the smoother, faster trains — however delayed they may be — arrive, let’s take a closer look at the interiors. They should appeal to Amtrak travelers who are tired of the old gray-and-blue-seated cars.

Source: Amtrak

The arrival of the next generation of trains has been a long time coming: the current Acela trains have been in service since 2000, and it’s been six years since Amtrak announced it wanted to update its aging trains.

Source: Amtrak

The fleet will grow from 20 to 28 trainsets, all of which can reach speeds of up to 257 km/h.

Source: Amtrak

The new trains will each have 378 seats…

…a 25% increase over the 304 seats on current models, reported Benji Stawski of the Points Guy.

Source: The points man

Inside, the shiny new cars look more modern than any Amtrak train currently in operation.

Small details like the digital screens…

…and winged headrests make the new cars feel more modern and comfortable.

But the most noticeable changes will take place in the coaches and café cars.

The café wagon is getting a much-needed makeover.

Meet a sleeker café with a digital menu, comfortable seating, bar-style counters and takeaway…

…which look nothing like the older café cars that travelers see today.

The coaches still retain the classic row of seats. But unlike the previous design, the new carriages will have colour-coded headrests.

Business and First class are separated by color: the headrests of the latter are red, those of the former blue.

Regardless of the class you travel in, every seat features integrated reading lights and more accessible power outlets and USB ports.

Source: Amtrak

The seats also come with tables in different sizes to meet the needs of every traveler.

There’s nothing more awkward than having to slide out of an interior seat. To make getting in and out of the four-person seating configuration easier, the sides of the tables have foldable extensions.

To make travel more sustainable, the seats are also made from recycled leather…

…and the train will use 40% less energy per passenger, according to Amtrak.

It seems like in the age of COVID-19, everything is contactless, and the new Acela will be no different.

Several services and amenities on board are contactless, including the toilet with an automatic door and touch-free facilities.

If you’re eager to drive the new Acela, you’ll have to be patient.

You won’t see this new Acela in service until 2024, when it will begin operating on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C.

Source: Amtrak

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