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Based on my understanding, travel times in the northeast are limited not by the top speed of the trains, but by the tracks, and the fact that freight is prioritized.
I'm surprised it didn't mention the time to get between NYC and DC. Anyone know?
I don't know if these trains are supposed to be much faster than the existing train sets, which do it in like 3 hours? (My understanding is that the speed limits is more to do with the railways than the actual trainsets, but maybe that's wrong. Apparently they go 160mph at max vs 150 on the old ones, but I don't know if that speed can be sustained between DC and NYC)
> In the coming months, Amtrak will be operating both the current Acela equipment and the NextGen Acela trains as the new trains transition into the fleet. I do hope that at the time of booking they make it clear which Acela it is. Airlines do this: they usually mention the type of plane while booking. I might just do a trip on the new Acela to experience the train.
Love how they mention they’re built in the US by union workers…likely at 10x the cost of making them elsewhere. Modern day unions in the US is not what you think they are. They are the reason why we can’t have fast infrastructure upgrades. People in Japan/Korea/EU figured it out why can’t we have them here in the US?
In the USA the Union might be the only reason a certain profession has a healthcare plan at all. The relationship is so combative, unions basically have to adopt a "fuck you I'll get mine" attitude or they're passing things over the bargaining table for nothing in return.
Americans got the labor market they deserve: a transactional one.
The fact they don't mention they are any faster is disappointing. I'm all for a better cabin experience (I take the Acela at least once a month) although first class was perfectly acceptable. Much better than flying.
Trains compete with highways, faster speed usually isn't the deciding factor.
Unfortunately, this doesn't seem like it will speed up travel much at all. Based on my understanding, travel times in the northeast are limited not by the top speed of the trains, but by the tracks, and the fact that freight is prioritized.