90 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

As long as the speed limitations continue over Metro North's tracks, and few if any further track improvements are done, agreed there is no way 90 minute service between New York and Boston can happen.

[Long Train Runnin']

 

The Christian Science Monitor, 8/30:
 

Boston to New York in 90 minutes? Amtrak hopes to pick up the pace.
 
Amtrak's Acela Express trains will get new tracks, new train cars, and improved platforms to bring higher-speed train service to Boston, New York, and DC.
 
 
By 2021, Amtrak says you will be able to travel from New York to Boston in less than 90 minutes on one of Amtrak's 28 new Acela Express trains.
 
The 160-mile-per-hour ride will offer better WiFi, food service, and more outlets, says Amtrak, plus they are designed to hold 35 percent more passengers than the current trains. During peak hours, the expanded service is designed to allow trains between Washington DC and New York every half-hour and between New York and Boston every hour.
 
“As more people rely on Amtrak, we need modernized equipment and infrastructure to keep the region moving,” said Anthony Coscia, chair of the Amtrak Board of Directors, in a written statement.

Continue here.

 

Wow. That article is a real piece of work.  Ninety minutes New York to Boston in 2021?  To get that "travel from New York to Boston in less than 90 minutes" prediction, the author evidently took the distance (231 miles) divided by the maximum speed of the new trainsets (160 mph), and came up wth 1.44 hours (1hr 26min).  In other words, the author assumed the new sets will average 160mph from Penn Station to South Station.

 

The author is a college intern, evidently not studying math or engineering.

 

 

 

Wait it doesn't work like that?   

[jis]

As long as the speed limitations continue over Metro North's tracks, and few if any further track improvements are done, agreed there is no way 90 minute service between New York and Boston can happen.

Nor between New York and Washington without very very significant permanent way modification work. 120 minutes, yeah, maybe. 90 mins? No.

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 12/1:

 

 

Alstom to receive $30 million in NY funds for Amtrak train deal

Gov. Cuomo made the announcement at Alstom's plant in New York, where Amtrak's Liberty trains will be built. Photo – Gov. Cuomo's Flickr account

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday announced $30 million in state funds will be used to support Alstom Transportation Inc.'s expansion in Hornell, N.Y., to accommodate a new contract to build next-generation high-speed trains for Amtrak.

New York's state support for the project was an important factor in Alstom's winning bid for the Amtrak contract, according to a press release issued by Cuomo's office.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

NY Governor press release, 11/30:

 

Governor Cuomo Announces $30 Million For Alstom Transportation, Inc. Expansion to Create Nearly 200 New Jobs in Steuben County

 

 

Major Expansion of Manufacturing Operations Supported By $30 Million from Upstate Revitalization Initiative

Investment Guarantees Retention of More Than 1,000 Jobs in Upstate New York

Project Will Produce Next Generation of High-Speed Trains For Amtrak

Expansion Advances “Southern Tier Soaring” – Region’s Successful Upstate Revitalization Initiative Proposal to Grow the Economy and Create New Opportunities

 

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $30 million in state funding to support the expansion of Alstom Transportation, Inc., which will add nearly 200 new jobs in Hornell, Steuben County. The project is motivated by Alstom's successful bid to provide Next Generation High-Speed Trains for Amtrak. The expansion will retain more than 1,000 existing positions in Hornell and at Alstom’s operations in West Henrietta. New York State’s support for the project was an important factor in Alstom’s efforts to secure the agreement with Amtrak for the $2.5 billion Next Generation High-Speed Trains program.

 

 

"This major expansion of Alstom's world-class manufacturing operations will not only create hundreds of new jobs, but also help drive the economic resurgence of the Southern Tier for years to come," Governor Cuomo said. "Investing in key industries across the state creates jobs and strengthens the economy in every region, and advanced manufacturing is the foundation of long-term, sustainable economic growth."

Alstom, which employs more than 1,000 people in Upstate New York, is a global leader in integrated railway systems and its rolling stock facility in Hornell has been manufacturing and servicing trains for nearly 150 years. The $66.8 million expansion project entails the renovation of existing space at their Hornell facility, which is already one of the is the largest passenger rail manufacturing facilities in North America, adding 60,000 square feet of new production and engineering space and 10,000 feet of new track, including 4,000 feet of test track.

Jerome Wallut, President of Alstom North America, said, "We thank Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for successfully advancing this region's vision through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. None of this would have been possible without the Governor's staunch commitment to this region and his continued dedication to making all of Upstate New York thrive. We are honored to be partnered with the State of New York to create jobs and economic opportunities in the Southern Tier. Together, we are investing in people and facilities that will make this region the home of the best trains in the world for generations to come."

The Acela Express contract with Amtrak involves the design and production of 28 Next-Generation High-Speed Trainsets, the most modern and advanced high-speed trains in the world. These trains will be sold in the U.S., with plans to export high-speed train components to global markets as well. Additionally, the contract includes the supply of technical services and spare parts for up to 30 years, with the majority of such worked expected to be performed in Hornell while some work will be at the company’s facility in the Rochester area.

[KevinKorell]

Business Insider, 12/7/16:

 

Amtrak will start using high-speed trains in 2021 — but your trip will still take just as long

 

Amtrak announced in August that it will release high-speed trains in 2021 for its Acela Express service, but they won't actually cut down on trip times.

Article

[jis]

If experience with riding articulated train sets vs. trains consisting of individual cars is any indication, the one big change will be a smoother ride. Also, in my experience, specially riding Virgin Pendolinos in the UK, the Pendolino tilt system, which will be used in the Acela IIs operates much more smoothly and imperceptibly than the LRC tilt system used in the Acela Is. So all in all a smoother ride will be the only noticeable difference, other than any better creature comforts that they might build into those trains.

[KevinKorell]

WTOP Radio, Washington, DC, 10/9/17:

 

 

 

Amtrak unveils new Acela trains

 

 

Amtrak has unveiled the new look of its next-generation Acela trains that will operate along the Northeast corridor as part of its $2.4 billion investment in faster Acela service that also includes extensive renovations at Union Station.

 

 

Update

 

Above item says the current top speed is 130 mph, and then says 135 mph.  Both are wrong, as we know Acela currently attains 150 mph in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

[KevinKorell]

Hornell, NY Evening Tribune, 10/9/17:

 

 

 

​

Alstom unveils final Acela line model

 

Prompted by the growth of high speed service to the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak and Alstom are embarking on a historic contract to expand rail travel at speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.

 

More

[CNJRoss]

Alstom

Published on Oct 13, 2017

 

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