Avelia Liberty
Avelia Liberty is a tilting high-speed passenger train built for the North American market by French manufacturer Alstom (similar to SNCF TGV M) and assembled in the United States. Amtrak has ordered 28 train sets for use on its flagship Acela service along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C., via New York City and Philadelphia.
| Avelia Liberty | |
|---|---|
Avelia Liberty trainset during testing in April 2021 | |
| Manufacturer | Alstom |
| Built at | Hornell, New York |
| Family name | Avelia TGV |
| Replaced | Acela Express |
| Constructed | 2017–present |
| Entered service | 2024 (expected) |
| Number under construction | 28 trainsets |
| Formation | 11 cars (2 power cars, 9 passenger cars) |
| Fleet numbers | 2100–2155 (power cars) |
| Capacity | 386 |
| Operators | Amtrak |
| Depots | Ivy City, Washington, D.C. Sunnyside Yard, New York City Southampton Street Yard, Boston |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 698.5 ft (212.9 m) |
| Maximum speed | 160 mph (260 km/h) (service) 187.5 mph (300 km/h) (max. w/ tilting) 220 mph (350 km/h) (max. w/o tilting) |
| Axle load | 17 tons |
| Traction system | IGBT–VVVF inverter control |
| Traction motors | 3-phase AC induction motors |
| Power output | 7,000 kW (9,400 hp) (total) |
| Transmission | AC-DC-AC |
| Electric system(s) | Overhead line; |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph, 1 per power car |
| Braking system(s) | Dynamic and regenerative (power cars) Electro-pneumatic disk and tread (trainset) |
| Safety system(s) | Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Specifications: | |
It is part of the Avelia family of high-speed trains but adapted to conform with North American railroad standards, including U.S. Federal Railroad Administration crashworthiness standards. Amtrak says that compared to the prior generation, these trainsets would allow for improved frequency and greater capacity on the Acela service.
As of October 2023, the trains are undergoing testing, and are expected to enter passenger service in late 2024.