Acela Express (trainset)
The first-generation Acela Express trainset is a unique set of vehicles used on the Acela, Amtrak's flagship high-speed service along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in the Northeastern United States. When they debuted in 2000, the sets were the fastest in the Americas, reaching 150 mph (240 km/h) on 33.9 mi (54.6 km) of the route. They were built between 1998 and 2001 by a consortium of Alstom and Bombardier. Each set has two power cars derived from units that Alstom built for the TGV, and six passenger cars derived from the LRC that Bombardier built for Via Rail.
| Acela Express (first-generation) | |
|---|---|
Amtrak Acela Express train, led by power car #2009, at Old Saybrook, Connecticut | |
Business Class car interior | |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier, Alstom |
| Constructed | 1998–2001 |
| Entered service | 2000 |
| Number built | 20 sets |
| Number in service | 20 sets |
| Formation | 8 cars (two power cars, six coaches) |
| Fleet numbers | 2000–2039 (power cars) |
| Capacity | 304 (44 in First Class, 260 in Business Class) |
| Operators | Amtrak |
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| Lines served | Northeast Corridor |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Train length | 663 ft 8+3⁄4 in (202.30 m) |
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| Floor height | 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) |
| Entry | Level |
| Doors | Single leaf sliding plug doors:
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| Traction system | Alstom GTO–VVVF inverter control |
| Traction motors | 4 × Alstom 4-FXA-4559C 1,540 hp (1,150 kW) 3-phase AC induction motor |
| Power output | 6,200 hp (4,600 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 49,500 lbf (220.2 kN) (per power car, starting) |
| Transmission | AC-DC-AC |
| Power supply | 2850 V DC (PWM rectified) voltage regulated from mains re-inverted to three-phase, frequency and voltage controlled AC waveform |
| Electric system(s) | Overhead line; |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph, 2 per power car |
| UIC classification | Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′ |
| AAR wheel arrangement | B-B+2-2+2-2+2-2+2-2+2-2+2-2+B-B |
| Braking system(s) | |
| Safety system(s) | Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES) |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Specifications: | |
While the Acela sets were based on TGV equipment, the power cars and passenger cars are much heavier in order to meet the Federal Railroad Administration's crash standards. The extra weight leads to the Acela's power-to-weight ratio being about 22.4 hp (16.7 kW) per tonne, compared to 30.8 hp (23.0 kW) for a SNCF TGV Réseau trainset. Unlike the TGV, the Acela sets employ active tilting technology, which helps control lateral centrifugal force, allowing the train to travel at higher speeds on the sharply curved NEC without disturbing passengers.
Bombardier later used the Acela carriage design and a diesel/gas turbine variant of the power car for its experimental JetTrain.
The present Acela Express equipment is scheduled to be replaced by new Avelia Liberty (similar to SNCF TGV M) sets beginning in 2024. The new trains will have greater passenger capacity and an enhanced active tilt system that will allow faster speed on the many curved sections of the route.