Washington’s Union Station is once again in the national spotlight as Amtrak’s long-awaited NextGen Acela service began carrying passengers on the Northeast Corridor.
Federal officials said the launch is part of a plan to modernize trains and improve infrastructure, with the Department of Transportation now taking direct oversight of the historic station.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the changes are overdue.
“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,” Duffy said in a press release. “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.”
The launch of the new Acela is a critical starting point “as we work to improve travel for millions of Americans,” added Deputy Secretary of Transportation Steve Bradbury.
“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,” Bradbury continued.
NextGen Acela on the Rails
The new trains are the first upgrade to Amtrak’s flagship service since 2000.
Built by Alstom in Hornell, New York, the trainsets are the first high-speed rail equipment manufactured in America. They can reach top speeds of 160 miles per hour — about 10 miles faster than their predecessors — and are designed to lean into curves, offering smoother rides on tracks laid more than a century ago.
The trains add 27% more seats per departure, with redesigned interiors, larger windows, upgraded lighting, and individual outlets for every passenger. Free 5G-enabled Wi-Fi is available throughout, along with new dining options including a café and cart service in business class.
“On behalf of everyone at Amtrak, I’m proud to welcome you aboard NextGen Acela,” Amtrak President Roger Harris remarked. “The future of high-speed rail starts now.”
Safety and Economic Impact
The trains also meet stricter crashworthiness standards, aimed at preventing derailments like the one that killed eight people in Philadelphia in 2015.
“This train truly is the future of the high-speed rail in America,” Elliot Hamlisch, Amtrak’s chief commercial officer, told CBS News. “This is the most technologically advanced train, not only in America, but in the world. So, we’ve taken the best of what Europe has to offer and incorporated it here on our tracks.”
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,” he said.
Ready to Ride, Looking Ahead
For some passengers, the launch was nearly a decade in the making.
Leo Friedman of New Jersey told CBS News he had been tracking the project since Amtrak first released promotional videos.
“Ever since that first video came out, that Amtrak posted about nine years ago,” he said, “I’ve been super interested and invested in this NextGen Acela.”
All 28 NextGen Acela trains are expected to be in service by 2027.
“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.
