Amtrak Makes History Launching NextGen Acela Service

A new era of American-made trains speeds into the Northeast Corridor

WASHINGTON - Amtrak is welcoming guests onboard America's high-speed trains - NextGen Acela - as service began earlier this morning at 5:00 a.m. ET in Washington, DC, and at 6:00 a.m. ET in Boston for travel on the Northeast Corridor. For the first time since Acela's debut in December 2000, new premium high-speed trainsets are now operating on the Northeast Corridor.

• Livestream at 9:15 am ET: Secretary Duffy Launches NextGen Acela at Union Station

"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."

"With these new Acela trainsets, Amtrak will provide more reliable service and lower prices for the American people - all while increasing the organization's profitability," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "But we're not stopping there. Instead of being a point of pride, Washington's Union Station has fallen into disrepair. By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost."

"President Trump and Secretary Duffy are doing what they do best: making big, beautiful projects come to life. The launch of the new Acela is a critical starting point as we work to improve travel for millions of Americans. I look forward to working closely with our team at Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to focus our attention on Union Station and make it a world class transit hub. Our nation's capital should be putting our best foot forward," said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Steve Bradbury.

"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 in Hornell who are building these high-speed trains in America, for America."

What to expect

• How to book your seat: NextGen Acela trains are marked with a unique 'tag' on Amtrak.com and in the Amtrak app, making them easy to identify when booking. You can also look for the following train numbers (subject to change):
  • Weekdays: Trains 2153, 2154, 2170, and 2173
  • Saturdays: Trains 2250 and 2251
  • Sundays: Trains 2248, 2258, 2259, and 2271
• Premium onboard features: The new NextGen Acela offers an elevated experience, with features and amenities that today's savvy travelers expect, plus everything they need to be productive along the way: free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, as well as individual power outlets and reading lights.
• Food and beverage: An enhanced onboard dining experience, with a selection of high-quality, fresh, food and beverages is available in the new Cafe Acela, plus cart service in Business Class.
• More travel opportunities: 28 brand-new trains entering service through 2027, 27% more seats per departure, and added service with expanded weekday and weekend schedules.

️ Built in America, for America

• The NextGen Acela fleet was assembled at Alstom's facility in Hornell, NY by skilled Machinists Union workers, using components from over 180 suppliers across 29 states-creating approximately 15,000 U.S. jobs.*

Part of a bigger transformation

• NextGen Acela is a key component of Amtrak's broader fleet modernization plan, which includes:
  • New Amtrak Airo trains debuting on the Amtrak Cascades, Northeast Regional, and East Coast routes
  • New, more efficient Long Distance locomotives
  • Upgraded interiors in Coaches, Dining Cars, Sleepers, and Sightseer Lounges-featuring new seat cushions, upholstery, lighting, and finishes

For images, videos, b-roll, fact sheets, and more information, Amtrak's NextGen Acela media kit can be found at: Media.Amtrak.com/NextGen-Acela

*Calculation based on the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) 2020 analysis, "Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment" which estimates that $1 billion of public transportation spending creates 12,600 jobs. Total estimate adjusted for inflation and provides general scale of impact.