Amtrak's new Acela trains delayed until fall 2023
It could be close to a year and a half before Amtrak’s new, state-of-the-art Acela Express trains begin service, an Amtrak representative told TPG on Friday. It’s a timeline that falls far short of previous projections by the rail operator that the new trainsets would be serving the northeast U.S. by 2021. The new timeline calls for the trains to hit the tracks by fall 2023.
Word of the delay for the new trains came the same week that Amtrak publicly shared photos of the interior of the upgraded trains to the public. TPG got a first look at the train interiors back in 2020 inside the Hornell, New York, factory where they’ve been in the works for several years now.
Once deployed, the new trains will bring upgraded onboard facilities and capacity increases of nearly 25% in Amtrak’s critical Northeast Corridor, which runs between Boston and Washington, D.C., via New York.
An Amtrak spokesperson could not provide specifics on what prompted the delays. However, a 2020 report by Amtrak's inspector general published prior to COVID-19 becoming a global pandemic warned of a "significant risk of delays" in the project due to a number of factors including manufacturing delays. Additionally, the Washington Post has reported on problems uncovered during testing of the trains.
In a statement to TPG Friday, Amtrak said in part, "We want our customers to experience these new trainsets as soon as possible, but at Amtrak, we will never compromise safety and testing. Alstom needs to complete extensive computer modeling and simulation tests and ensure they meet [the Federal Railroad Administration's] safety requirements with this latest generation of high speed technology."
Major upgrades on a busy line
Amtrak says the new Acela Express trains, first announced in 2016, will have upgraded onboard facilities with more new seats; reliable Wi-Fi; larger, contactless restrooms; and more convenient food service.
This new project should help bridge the gap between Amtrak’s trains and the more modern ones found in parts of Europe and Asia. The new trains will also be faster — running up to 160 mph — and with 378 instead of 304 passengers on each trainset, they will carry far more passengers. Major infrastructure improvements in the future could allow the cars to reach speeds of higher than 160 mph.
Related: Plane vs. train on a trip from Boston to New York City
Alstom is responsible for building the new trains, which were slated to be unveiled at some point in 2021. Amtrak began running tests on its new Acela Express trains in February 2020.
Interior design shared this week
While Amtrak has shared sneak peeks and TPG got a firsthand look at the design of the new trains' interior in 2020, the railroad circulated photos this week of what the new trains will look like inside.
The new Acela Express trains will have the color red incorporated in their first-class seats, which Amtrak says will “provide more space, leg room and personal tray tables” which can be open or closed independent of the person sitting next to you.
Related: Review of Acela business class
Meanwhile, business-class seats will have blue incorporated into the design, along with personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at each seat.
Amtrak also says business class will include a streamlined overhead luggage compartment.
The new cafe car includes self-select and check-out options, along with a standing-room area, complete with hip rests and electrical outlets for charging phones and other devices.
"Our new Acela trains will help revolutionize American train travel,” Amtrak president and CEO Stephen Gardner said in a statement this week, which did not make mention of the new estimated completion date.
Bottom line
Amtrak says the anticipated rollout of these new trains will not happen all at once. Fall 2023 is expected to be the first time riders will notice any of the new trains on the Acela Express routes. However, with upgraded facilities and 28 new trains eventually replacing the 20 existing sets, the multi-billion dollar project figures to transform perhaps the most critical route in Amtrak's network.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.