New York, get ready to shave some minutes off your Boston and D.C. escapes: Amtrak’s fastest train yet is officially pulling into service. On Thursday, August 28, the first of the long-awaited NextGen Acela fleet will debut on the Northeast Corridor, connecting Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston at top speeds the U.S. hasn’t seen before. (According to Amtrak, the new train will have a top speed of 160mph, which is 10mph faster than the current Acela fleet.)
The launch is more than just a fresh coat of paint on America’s most famous train. It’s the first step in a full high-speed refresh: 28 brand-new trainsets will roll out through 2027, offering 27-percent more seats per departure and an expanded schedule for weekday commuters and weekend getaway-seekers alike. Five sleek new trainsets will start service this month, with the rest phasing in over the next two years.
The onboard perks are more jet set than choo-choo. Riders can expect free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and reading lights at every seat—because this is the kind of train you can work on without fighting for an outlet. The interiors are designed to feel more spacious, with upgraded finishes and lighting that make the old Acela suddenly look… well, old.
Booking is straightforward, too. NextGen Acela options will be available on the Amtrak app, website and station kiosks. The new trains will run alongside the existing Acela fleet as they transition into full service, so you’ll want to check which version you’re boarding if you’re after that “new train smell.”
And if you’re picturing these sleek cars coming from overseas, think again. The NextGen Acela was assembled in Hornell, New York, by Machinists Union workers, with parts from over 180 suppliers across 29 states, a project Amtrak says has supported roughly 15,000 U.S. jobs.
The upgrade is just one part of Amtrak’s broader modernization push. On the horizon are new Amtrak Airo trains for the Cascades, Northeast Regional and East Coast routes; more efficient long-distance locomotives; and refreshed interiors for coaches, dining cars, sleepers and lounges.
For now, though, the star is the NextGen Acela—a faster, roomier and more connected ride that aims to make train travel not just competitive with flying, but actually the more pleasant choice. And come August 28, you can catch it right out of Penn Station. All aboard!
Source link
