Passenger Trains > Next Generation Test Runs - Train 888 and Train 887

So I have been following the "test runs" of the Next Generation Train sets. Two major observations of concern:

• They can't keep up with the established schedule, which is generally 2 hours and 55 minutes Washington DC to New York City, and 3 hours and 55 minutes from New York City to Boston. No improvement in speeding up the schedule  over Acela 1.0, which was to be a major objective, especially the southern (RR western) portion of the NEC after "some" improvements to the infrastructure were completed in Maryland and NJ. Long way to go for Gateway and that bottleneck.

 

• Fastest speeds along the whole NEC are just for a short distance between New Brunswick,NJ  and Trenton, NJ - just around 150 mph at best on the days that I've checked. Not seeing any major speed stretching of the legs in New England - especially east or west of Providence, RI.  

Lately, the location history isn't recording the speeds om some of the Next Generation test train sets along the NEC (just 0 mph at the station stops). Very non-impressive speeds overall for when they are reported, and not achieving what should be max speeds for these train sets, as per the advertised. Appears they will just be "inserted" into current Acela 1.0 train set schedules - if they can even maintain those schedules, considering I have yet to see a Next Generation Train set depart their origination station on time, or arrive on-time to final destination or major intermediate stations (New York City). The Turbo trains achieved faster speeds and schedules with stick rail still in place on the NEC and no full electrification of the NEC from NYP to Boston South Station..... I think the Talgo test train sets were even doing 3 hours and 45 minutes.....Test trains are often recording lateness of 30 minutes or greater at final terminal. Today, 888 was roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes late into Boston. 

Overall, I sure hope there's more positive news that emerges in the next few weeks regarding the Next Generation Test Runs! Faster schedules and consistency to schedule will be HUGE!!!! 

Is there any other insight anyone can add on the test runs and if they are going towards plan and if we are getting any closer to a "soft launch" of some sort?

Thanks for the update.  Perhaps because these aren't regularly scheduled trains they are not getting the priority the Acela' I's receive?  I hope that might be part of the problem.  I thought they needed X number of miles on the sets that were defect free and didn't know they were trying to duplicate actual schedules?  I hope they get these trains out and running for the public but after 4.5 years it seems so disheartening. 

amtrakbill Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the update.  Perhaps because these
> aren't regularly scheduled trains they are not
> getting the priority the Acela' I's receive?  I
> hope that might be part of the problem.  I
> thought they needed X number of miles on the sets
> that were defect free and didn't know they were
> trying to duplicate actual schedules?  I hope
> they get these trains out and running for the
> public but after 4.5 years it seems so
> disheartening. 

I really hope that's part of the case, but I don't think it is. The Next Generation are on transit maps and are supposed to be performing against an established schedule and as a regular train set "as if it were in service."  

July 1's 888:
Lost 43 minutes from WAS to BAL, kept gradually more time to Newark, no data for New York, about as late up to New haven, expected to lose another 20 minutes by Providence.

Not clue why, but no good indicators except it didn't break down., Of course Siemens didn't build it. 

By accident caught #888  2117-9-2116  about  90 minutes late east of Providence on July 1st . These trains : 816,887,888 have been operating since April for T&E and OBS testing / training purposes - they are considered extras and at times are handled accordingly , the speed runs have been done in the past .  Not sure of the number assigned to the PHL to DC , maybe 815 .

Do the newer trains have a lower HP to weight ratio than the original Acela trains?

Must be some reason for the bad results.

888 just east of Edison NJ, Wed 7/2/25. Shaky hand-held iPhone video. I was hoping he'd blow the horn thru the station, but no luck.

You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today!

kjmk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 888 just east of Edison NJ, Wed 7/2/25. Shaky
> hand-held iPhone video. I was hoping he'd blow the
> horn thru the station, but no luck.

Thanks for sharing. 

Any idea about the train's speed?

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> kjmk Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 888 just east of Edison NJ, Wed 7/2/25. Shaky
> > hand-held iPhone video. I was hoping he'd blow
> the
> > horn thru the station, but no luck.
>
> Thanks for sharing. 
>
> Any idea about the train's speed?
Nope. The overhead number boards say 100. He seemed to be going the same speed as the Regionals.