Amtrak Announces Next-Generation of High-Speed Trains
So, late last week, Amtrak officially announced that it signed a contract with French train manufacturer Alstom to build a new generation of high-speed trains.
Because of the "buy American" provision built into pretty much all American public transit provider contracts, the new trains will be built in the company's Hornell, New York facility.
Just to give you a bit of context, these trains will serve what is currently the only full-fledged high-speed train corridor in United States - the Acela Express service between Washington DC and Boston. It's the fastest of the several services the run along what is known as the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, the only place in the country where even the slower Northeast Regional trains travel 90 miles per hour (on most routes, you are lucky to get up to 70 mph).
According to the Amtrak press release, the new contract will let it run the express service more frequently. The new train cars are supposed to have better wi-fi, usb charging ports to with the more traditional outlets, adjustable reading lights and "enhanced food service options," whatever that means. But perhaps most importantly, the new design will make it much easier for people in wheelchairs to get on board (because, seriously - I like Amtrak, but it falls woefully short in terms of accessibility).
Here is the video the Amtrak put together to mark the occasion.
Normally, I would side-eye some dubious CGI, especially the non-renderings of people, but considering the budget cuts Amtrak endured, I'm kind of amazed they put together any kind of CGI video at all.
Because of the "buy American" provision built into pretty much all American public transit provider contracts, the new trains will be built in the company's Hornell, New York facility.
Just to give you a bit of context, these trains will serve what is currently the only full-fledged high-speed train corridor in United States - the Acela Express service between Washington DC and Boston. It's the fastest of the several services the run along what is known as the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, the only place in the country where even the slower Northeast Regional trains travel 90 miles per hour (on most routes, you are lucky to get up to 70 mph).
According to the Amtrak press release, the new contract will let it run the express service more frequently. The new train cars are supposed to have better wi-fi, usb charging ports to with the more traditional outlets, adjustable reading lights and "enhanced food service options," whatever that means. But perhaps most importantly, the new design will make it much easier for people in wheelchairs to get on board (because, seriously - I like Amtrak, but it falls woefully short in terms of accessibility).
Here is the video the Amtrak put together to mark the occasion.
Click to viewNormally, I would side-eye some dubious CGI, especially the non-renderings of people, but considering the budget cuts Amtrak endured, I'm kind of amazed they put together any kind of CGI video at all.