Passenger Trains > New Acelas will not hit start date

Ryan Beene | Bloomberg News
January 23, 2020 4:15 PM, EST
Amtrak’s $2.1B Acela Upgrade May Miss 2021 Planned Start


Amtrak’s $2.1 billion upgrade to its high-speed Acela rail service between Washington and Boston may miss a planned start of paid customer service in 2021, according to the railroad’s internal watchdog.

Delays in delivering new high-speed trains for the project and other “management weaknesses” have eliminated any cushion in its timetable to begin service, Amtrak’s inspector general said in a new report. The railroad’s oversight arm also said that Amtrak must complete five key elements of its upgrade plan on time or the overall effort could fall behind schedule.

“The Acela 21 program has already experienced delays that have eliminated any schedule cushion, and multiple indicators point to additional delays beyond the planned service launch,” according to the report.

The project, Amtrak’s largest investment ever, consists of buying 28 new high-speed trains for $1.6 billion and completing 10 infrastructure projects needed to maintain those trains on the railroad’s Northeast Corridor, the busiest stretch of rail in the U.S.

The project is critical for the railroad’s efforts to improve operations in the artery that contributes the most to Amtrak’s bottom line. Ferrying some 800,000 passengers daily, Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor operates at a surplus while its long-distance national lines lose money.

The inspector general’s office made three recommendations to minimize risks of additional delays. The report and its recommendations were presented to Amtrak executives, who agreed with them. Amtrak disagreed, however, with the inspector general’s assessment that management weaknesses contributed to the delays.

In comments responding to the inspector general’s report, Amtrak wrote that contingency plans are already underway and will continue to be updated.

“There remains an extraordinary amount of work ahead and Amtrak management is confident that the proper resources are aligned to deliver this ambitious program on scope, schedule and budget,” the railroad wrote.

The report does not say when Amtrak currently plans to start operating the upgraded Acela service. A 2017 Amtrak inspector general report said service was scheduled to begin in January 2021, but the project has encountered delays since then.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/20 08:52 by amtrakbill.

Oh what a shock!  I'm sure none of us saw this coming.  The 20 year old Acelas will be out here for a while. Then there will be the inevitable problems that always come up with Amtrak designed stuff.  The Acela trains didn't get all the bugs worked out until what, 2005 or so?  Neat looking trains, running at schedules no faster than those of 50 years ago.  With Boston-New York times approaching 4 hours on some Acela runs, even the New Haven RR and Amtrak New England Metroliner schedules were about the same timings.  Guess that's progress. 

Between Boston and New York most Acela runs average around the breakneck speed of 60MPH, while many city pairs (New Haven to Newark, Philly to New Haven, Boston to Philly) have average speeds from the mid-40s to low 60s.  Not entirely Amtrak's fault, but Amtrak touting these as high speed and so innovative is a bit humorous. I guess those who ride through New York on an Acela or NEC Regional train are foamer nostalgic train buffs who like riding 45MPH trains.  Right, Anderson and Gardner?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/20 17:49 by cabsignaldrop.

Well folks, check back in just 12 short months to see if a certain person can pull off a multifaceted rail construction and equipment fabrication and testing project and make a January 2021 service inauguration date happen! Very exciting, and watching Building 8 not be demolished at Sunnyside to allow construction of the yet to be designed High Speed Rail Ready Tracks, very doubtful!

But who knows? May wonders never cease!

Posted from iPhone

"Ferrying some 800,000 passengers daily, Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor operates at a surplus while its long-distance national lines lose money..."

Skillfully worded propaganda.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/20 21:22 by GenePoon.

No kidding, if the NEC has a surplus, how come the upkeep is so behind!

Posted from Android

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Ferrying some 800,000 passengers daily,
> Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor operates at a
> surplus while its long-distance national lines
> lose money..."
>
> Skillfully worded propaganda.

Perhaps if the LD trains had their rolling stock replaced with consists and frequency expanded every 20 years, and ran on federally supported 130 MPH roadbed, they would not lose as much money.

ProAmtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No kidding, if the NEC has a surplus, how come the
> upkeep is so behind!
>

That's simple; they don't waste money on maintenance (if the "surplus" claim is true).

TAW

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Perhaps if the LD trains had their rolling stock
> replaced with consists and frequency expanded
> every 20 years, and ran on federally supported 130
> MPH roadbed, they would not lose as much money.

NEC rolling stock (mostly Amfleet) is older than Long Distance. Average of NEC rolling stock is 40 years old, average of LD rolling stock is 30 years old.  You aren't wrong about speeds though.

Things on the NEC not so great, with yet another airline starting up hourly shuttles (to National Airport out of Newark).
The market is there, all you gotta do is start charging extra for luggage, beef up costs for seat assignment, food and drinks, and force folks to spend a couple hours going though security lines.
Oh, and make the seats narrower with less pitch, so that customers will have to spring for first class seating at double the price.
Finally, be sure eliminate parking and treat everyone rudely at the terminal points.