Alstom is celebrating the debut of Amtrak's high-speed NextGen Acela on the USA’s Northeast Corridor. Built by Alstom in the United States, the train will operate at speeds up to 160 miles per hour, making it the fastest train in America and modernising one of the busiest and economically vital rail lines in the country. Combining best-in-class technology with modern design, each of the 28 new trains offers 27% more seating than Amtrak’s previous Acelas and will provide a faster, elevated and more comfortable service to more riders than ever before.
“The NextGen Acela trains are the first high-speed trains built in America. The team at Alstom has brought nearly five decades of global experience in high-speed rail to the United States to deliver the fastest and most technologically advanced trains in the nation,” said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom. “We thank Amtrak for their trust and partnership, the Federal Railroad Administration and USDOT for their leadership, our suppliers, designers, engineers and especially the hard-working men and women at Alstom around the world who contributed, especially those in Hornell who are building these high-speed trains in America, for America.”
“Today marks a pivotal moment for American rail as we unveil the NextGen Acela, a testament to homegrown innovation and our commitment to revitalising U.S. manufacturing," said Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas. "These trains, built by skilled American workers in Hornell, are not just about speed; they symbolise our dedication to bringing the world’s best rail technology to the United States and supporting economic growth across the nation. We are proud to contribute to the resurgence of American rail innovation, creating jobs and building a robust supply chain in the process."
“Acela is synonymous with American high-speed trains, and today marks a new era of next-generation service,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “On behalf of everyone at Amtrak, I’m proud to welcome you aboard NextGen Acela. The future of high-speed rail starts now.”
“From the moment our guests step onboard, they’ll feel the difference of a NextGen Acela train thanks to a more modern, premium, and elevated experience,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. “We are grateful for Secretary Duffy and Deputy Secretary Bradbury’s support on the project, and for helping it get over the finish line so Northeast Corridor residents and visitors can enjoy a whole new way to travel.”
The NextGen Acela high-speed trains, part of Alstom’s Avelia product line, build on the company’s extensive global experience in high-speed rail, with more than 1,000 Avelia units sold in 25 countries. The Avelia Liberty model, developed specifically for the U.S., shares its technology platform with the next generation of France’s Avelia Horizon trains. Specifically adapted for the Northeast Corridor, the NextGen Acela will connect major cities from Washington, D.C. to New York to Boston. Its innovative design features wheel-and-axle frames located beneath the gangways between cars, forming a single, fully connected trainset. This configuration supports Alstom’s proprietary Tiltronix active-tilt system, which keeps the ride smooth and stable while allowing up to 30% higher speeds on curves compared to conventional high-speed trains, without compromising safety or passenger comfort.
The train also integrates innovative features that enhance Amtrak's operational performance and energy efficiency, including lighter-weight components, brake-energy regeneration, improved aerodynamics, traction drive efficiency and eco-driving technology.
The train's interiors are thoughtfully designed to enhance the passenger experience. They feature expansive windows that allow in natural light, high-quality ergonomically designed seats for maximum legroom and comfort, and winged headrests for extra support. This design ensures superior comfort and spaciousness while providing 27% more seating than the current fleet. Amtrak’s purchase of 28 trains will allow it to run 40% more Acelas than it does currently, responding to the record-setting ridership on the Northeast Corridor.
Additional features include free high-speed Wi-Fi, individual USB ports, power outlets, reading lights and a modern cafe car.
The Avelia Liberty trains were manufactured by American labour in the historic rail hub of Hornell, NY, where Alstom invested over $87 million and leveraged millions in federal and state grants to build the largest dedicated passenger rail manufacturing facility in the United States to complete this project.
At its peak, the project employed more than 800 people in Hornell, approximately 40% of which were part of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union, as well as another 400 employees in Rochester, NY. To complete the Avelia Liberty project, Alstom also created an extensive supply chain of 180 businesses across 29 states, creating an estimated 15,000+ jobs* nationwide. The project not only reinforced Upstate New York’s legacy as a centre for American rail excellence but also helped strengthen America’s domestic manufacturing capacity in rail, with 95 per cent of the Avelia Liberty’s components sourced from U.S. suppliers.
Alstom's French, Italian and Indian sites were also involved in the design and manufacturing of the Avelia Liberty trainsets:
- Belfort, for power cars;
- La Rochelle, for the train design (taking over from Saint-Ouen) as well as for the train control and management system (TCMS) and for the digital modelling of the train;
- Le Creusot, for bogies;
- Saint-Ouen, for the train design (before handing over design to La Rochelle);
- Tarbes, for the traction system;
- Valenciennes, for interiors;
- Villeurbanne, for passenger information systems and on-board electronics;
- Savigliano, for car bodyshell design, manufacturing and painting, tilting and bogie monitoring system (BMS);
- Sesto San Giovanni, for tilting electronics; and
- Bangalore, for the TCMS software.
Alstom’s commitment extends beyond the delivery of the trains. To help Amtrak optimise the total lifecycle costs of the trains and ensure top-performing trains for passengers, Alstom will continue to work with Amtrak under a Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement that runs for 15 years with an option to renew for another 15 years. Under this agreement, Alstom will provide parts for preventative and corrective maintenance, component overhauls, training, maintenance and support to maximise fleet availability. Equipped for condition-based and predictive maintenance, Alstom has embedded each train set with nearly 100 sensors to monitor wear and tear and predict when critical parts need to be serviced or replaced. Alstom has also guaranteed that it will supply any spare part within eight hours of when it is needed.
Alstom’s Avelia high-speed train range is the largest offering on the market and covers maximum operating speeds between 125 mph – 200 mph. A wide variety of configurations and architectures are available to provide the best fit to customer needs; single-deck or double-deck, concentrated or distributed traction, articulated or non-articulated architecture, as well as options such as tilting. More than 1,000 Avelia trains are operating in 25 countries, crossing 20 borders.
Image credits: Alstom
