How the Next-Generation Acela Trains Are Coming Together in Upstate New York
There's a new Acela coming to Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, and it will make the running time between New York and Washington, DC about 15 minutes faster. Beginning in 2021, passengers between Boston and Washington will ride on Next-Generation Acela, the train that will slowly start to replace the original Acela two years from now. The Next-Gens are faster — going up to speeds of about 160 mph — will offer new amenities and dining options, and use 20% less energy than the current model. The new trains will also have 378 seats compared to 304 on today's Acelas.
The high-speed train has been operating in the Northeast corridor since 2000, between Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. It can travel up to 150 mph and is known for its "tilting train" technology, which allows the cars to lean into curves on existing tracks so it can reach higher-than-average speeds without having to rely on dedicated high-speed lines. While it's no Japanese bullet train or European high-speed train, which can travel at a whopping 200 mph, the Acela holds the spot for the fastest train in the US.
Currently, the new Acelas are coming together at the Alstom facility in Hornell, New York. The place is massive — with three locations throughout the small town, it contains about 700,000 square feet combined dedicated to building, repairing and testing trains on a track almost a mile long.
Alstom is a French-owned company, and the tilting-train technology is an Italian patent, but the new Acelas are largely made and assembled in the USA.
Amtrak is placing a heavy emphasis on improvements for the new trains based on customer feedback via social media and surveys. One of the innovations of the new Acela is assigned seating. While this is already available in first-class Acela cars, business class remains first come, first served. On the new product, all seats will be assigned in advance.
Read: Review of Amtrak’s Acela Express in First Class
As for the rest of the passenger experience, the car layout is pretty similar to the current model. There will be 378 seats throughout, in first and business class. (There's no coach class on Acelas; for that, you'll have to take the standard regional trains.) New seats will include fixed, head-cushioning wings, personal outlets and USB ports in the center of the row (so those in the aisle seats will no longer have to reach over those seated by the window to plug in their chargers), adjustable reading lights in every seat, and state-of-the-art screens reminiscent of inflight maps on airplanes that will allow passengers to track their trains along their journeys. They won't be airplane-style seatback screens, however; they will be in the ceiling, and not at every seat. There will also be pulldown window shades, as opposed to the curtains in use today.
Currently, when traveling on the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak train travel produces 67% less emissions per passenger than flying and 79% less emissions than driving alone, according to Amtrak stats. New Acela trains will be lighter, which will use less energy overall. Other environmentally-friendly components include seating made out of recycled leather, new recycling bins and a new sustainable food and beverage program. Whether or not Amtrak will be ousting single-use plastics yet is currently unknown.
Accessibility features will also be incorporated, such as restrooms with a 60-inch diameter turning radius for people using wheelchairs and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant train cars.
Overhead luggage compartments will also be open shelves, rather than closed off like they are on airplanes, for easier access. Amtrak will also incorporate new interior safety details like seatback handles to aid customers walking through the train, grab bars for stability, gap fillers for space between the train and the platform and a smooth surface for entering and exiting the train.
Details on dining are still pretty vague. Amtrak has yet to narrow down a vendor, much less a menu, for the next-gen trains. In the dining cars, passengers will be able to order at a counter or grab their own snacks as they please. The car will also have high-top dining tables that can't be reserved in advance.
The new Amtrak Acelas will also be utilizing the new Moynihan Hall train terminal opening up by Penn Station. While there is a likelihood that not every train will avoid the nightmare dungeon that is the current Penn Station (that will depend on what tracks have availability upon arrival to the station), Amtrak officials at the factory said that the experience will be greatly improved by the renovations in New York. Amtrak plans on also opening their new Club Acela lounge for Moynihan in 2021.
Amtrak plans to have all 28 next-generation Acela trains operating the Northeast Corridor by 2022. Old trains will be phased out throughout 2021 as leases expire.
All images by Jordan Allen/The Points Guy.
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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
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- 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.
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- Terms Apply.
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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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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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.