Passenger Trains > Status of Acela II / Avelia?

Any word about when the new equipment will be put into service?

Posted from Android

Take a look at the moon tonight.

Is it blue?

All kidding aside, testing is still underway. They have not been accepted yet for mechanical compliance and FRA will not sign off on them until testing is completed and the results analyzed.

Thanks. It has been a long time

Posted from Android

So far they haven't ramped up testing even with the news of Alstom finally passing its software modeling requirement.  Every few weeks it seems they send a set up to Boston or down to DC but otherwise they keep collecting dust in the yard in Philadelphia.

hsr_fan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So far they haven't ramped up testing even with
> the news of Alstom finally passing its software
> modeling requirement.  Every few weeks it seems
> they send a set up to Boston or down to DC but
> otherwise they keep collecting dust in the yard in
> Philadelphia.

Seemingly, not a priority...

Yet 4 of 20 Acela sets are permanently retired while they "found" a 9th Amfleet car to add to most NEC Regional consists. 

Acela 21   !!!!

Alstom has a LOT of "fixes" on the punch list that they have to get through. And they are not easy fixes. Frankly, I don't see any of these train sets entering service in 2024. For those around when the Acela Express units came out, there were huge marketing and promotional announcement. Amtrak probably won't do a complete re-play, but when they get more certain on the release date, you can be sure the marketing department will be promoting the heck of things as this is Amtrak's pride and joy! 

Heck - even the Bachmann HO scale Avelia’s are delayed by 2 years. I wonder if they too are having mechanical issues - though more likely held until the full sized Acela Avelia’s are in service.

I remember hearing a story of Hot Wheels putting out a Stingray car before the Corvette Stingray was out in the market. Chevrolet as I heard it was not happy until they realized how much hype it generated in advance.

As for the Avelia and its teething issues - strange how they could near instaneously run unmodified versions of the ICE and X2000 on the NEC. Maybe customization is overkill…

/Mitch

Posted from iPhone

Mgoldman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Heck - even the Bachmann HO scale Avelia’s are
> delayed by 2 years. I wonder if they too are
> having mechanical issues - though more likely held
> until the full sized Acela Avelia’s are in
> service.
>
> I remember hearing a story of Hot Wheels putting
> out a Stingray car before the Corvette Stingray
> was out in the market. Chevrolet as I heard it
> was not happy until they realized how much hype it
> generated in advance.
>
> As for the Avelia and its teething issues -
> strange how they could near instaneously run
> unmodified versions of the ICE and X2000 on the
> NEC. Maybe customization is overkill…
>
> /Mitch
>
> Posted from iPhone

Compelling point about ICE and X2000....... It at least makes one think....... They had to run with their own set of limitations, waivers, etc. The technology and advancements that Amtrak needs for its NEC is just not an "off the shelf product." And when ordering new train sets every 20-25 years, its a daunting ramp-up and then testing task. Even the new 1,000 page specs for new LD equipment is head scratching. Great plans, kudos for all the details and designs, but can a vendor/source be found? Should something be brought over from Europe or Asia and then modified to compliance? That's a whole other rat's nest of a problem. Things are being over thought till someone gets hurt......Even though some shackles have been removed from the railroad industry, still must "buy American." And once the purchase gets made, there HAS to be good people and experienced people watching every move of the procurement, testing, and delivery process. The Venture passenger car purchase by the State DOT's could be a case study for incoming business students.   

Mgoldman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Heck - even the Bachmann HO scale Avelia’s are
> delayed by 2 years. I wonder if they too are
> having mechanical issues - though more likely held
> until the full sized Acela Avelia’s are in
> service.
>
> I remember hearing a story of Hot Wheels putting
> out a Stingray car before the Corvette Stingray
> was out in the market. Chevrolet as I heard it
> was not happy until they realized how much hype it
> generated in advance.
>
> As for the Avelia and its teething issues -
> strange how they could near instaneously run
> unmodified versions of the ICE and X2000 on the
> NEC. Maybe customization is overkill…
>
> /Mitch
>
> Posted from iPhone

And the thing is the 63 Stingray's still the best version of the Vette!

ProAmtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And the thing is the 63 Stingray's still the best
> version of the Vette!

Definitely arguable amongst Vette gearheads, but C2 Corvettes (1963-1967) are my favorites. 1963 was the only year with "Split Window" and all came with various tunings of fuel-injected 327. Later C2 Vettes came with big blocks (396 to 427), and with it, attention-getting exhaust side pipes (1965-1967).

No need to worry about Acela II/Aveila for now. I like this off topic distraction. :-)

I hear ya!

Posted from Android