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8/8/2025
Amtrak will begin operating its long overdue next-generation Acela train on the Northeast Corridor on Aug. 28.
Amtrak will start operating five of the new trains between Boston and Washington, D.C., with the remaining 27 trains entering into service through 2027, according to an Amtrak press release.
Amtrak initially said the trains would debut in 2021, however production and testing delays postponed the launch.
Built by Alstom in New York, the trains can operate at speeds up to 160 mph. The units feature 27% more seats per train compared to the older units; free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi; and individual power outlets and reading lights.
“NextGen Acela is more than a new train, it’s an evolution of travel,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel.”
The new Acela fleet is a key part of Amtrak’s broader fleet modernization plan, which includes:• new Amtrak Airo trains debuting on the Amtrak Cascades, Northeast Regional and East Coast routes; • new and more efficient locomotives on Amtrak's long distance routes; and• upgraded interiors in coaches, dining cars, sleepers and sightseer lounges.