The train that was at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) site in Colorado since February 2020 returned to the Alstom facility this spring after testing was completed. Siemens denies the accusation. The new trains are expected to operate up to a top speed of 160 miles per hour, 10 mph faster than the current generation of rolling stock. Alstom Avelia range offers a variety of flexible solutions in different architectures and configurations. "Look down, step over, and watch the gap!" It could transform passenger service. So, we have a significant amount of curvature on the route, which means that being able to operate relatively fast in that kind of environment is really a challenge. Some of the infrastructure is up to 100 years old, adds Yachmetz, so we need to accommodate that and also the ongoing challenge of operating in a very dense rail environment. How much time savings would occur from that project? Alstoms community creates an environment promoting and encouraging teamwork, dialogue and cooperation, across all levels of hierarchy and all geographical areas. The time savings of 160 mph to 150 mph are going to be negligible and I'd be surprised if they even bother updating the schedule. We offer a complete range of equipment and services, from high-speed trains, metros, trams and e-buses to integrated systems, customised services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility solutions. Although I've ridden the ICE descendants several times in Germany and the Netherlands, I'm not sure they (at the time) were suited for the North American market. Try to go trackside and get lucky. This jump in technology, from the Acela model, will also mean a new training programme for Amtrak, including engineers, drivers and maintenance staff, supported by an agreement with Alstom for technical support and spare components. The rail profile is not the same. Amtrak attributed the difficulties to outdated infrastructure (the main part of the line was designed in the 19th century) with uneven tracks. Unfortunately for us, the tests have been an extended affair, Biess said, noting that this work extended by several months the timeline for introducing the new trains. The Avelia Liberty is a cross between the Shinkansen and the LGV and the Acela designs in a futuristic design on the outside and it's made for daily commuting to work and sending out those few Emails that you did not get time to send the night before at the same time with a smooth comfortable ride to work without getting stuck in the massive Amtrak Alstom Avelia Liberty (New Acela 21) Daylight Testing in Rhode Island (October 2020) - YouTube 0:00 / 12:39 874 through Hudson Interlocking in Kearny, NJ as seen from the NJ Turnpike. Alstom said in a statement that it is focused on delivering the new trains, saying that testing is a critical part of the program.. Post your Pics, Videos, Stories, experiences, etc. In crisis, Amtrak is focused on testing and training for new trains to debut in 2021. The increase might seem small, but the design of the train isnt the limiting factor. Siddiq Saunderson Moved to L.A. and Immediately Bought a Prius, Millennials and Zillennials Can't Get Enough of Manual Transmissions, Tesla Investor Day 2023 Was Pretty Great if You Ignored Elon. People of that era, to a good approximation, didn't have good insights into rail overseas. With a keen eye on the longer term, Alstoms engineers designed Avelia trains to be cheaper to own throughout their life cycle. Biess explained that the Northeast Corridor was effectively laid out in the 19th century. This time, we are lucky enough to chase the train in daylight, starting September 28th, as it runs up from Philadelphia to Boston as extra train 874 (28). Perhaps completing this work would be a more useful expenditure than straitening a few curves. The Pueblo track is a good test environment, but its not identical to the Northeast Corridor tracks, Biess said. AFAIK, the only place where 160 will actually happen is the stretch near Providence. The Avelia Liberty can travel at speeds of between 300 and 350 kilometres per hour. Tlcooper93 said: American citizens in the 80's and 90's not only had an unhealthy dose of American exceptionalism, but genuinely thought trains were a thing of the past; essentially, antiquated technology. As of June 2020, two prototype trainsets were undergoing testing and construction of the other trainsets was ongoing. Building on Amtrak's expertise as the only high speed rail operator in the U.S. and Alstom's record of delivering world class, proven, high speed trainsets Amtrak and Alstom have partnered to introduce the next generation of Acela. Testing of the prototype in the Northeast will continue this summer. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. One of the Libertys key selling points is its ability to change to fit the times. Were all moving towards a goal of everything being in place by 2020, he says, when we being the revenue service of the Avelia Liberty. The vision includes two overlapping programmes: upgrades to existing infrastructure financed in part by a $2.45bn loan from the Federal Railroad Administrations railroad rehabilitation and improvement financing initiative and the high-speed rail programme, which is expected to cost $151bn and could be completed by 2040. - Dr. John Clarke, The Gap Rap (2010). Does anyone know the testing schedule for the Aveila Liberty on the northeast corridor? The trains will be built by Alstom in Hornell and Rochester, New York. The Horn from the factory might have been what was "in stock" from Alstrom's warehouse in Europe, possible tha Amtrak didn't spec the horn. Testing of the first two Avelia Liberty high-speed train sets from French manufacturer Alstom, is underway in the Northeast Corridor and at a federal facility in Pueblo, Colo., and Amtrak. EDIT; speed testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTrpklOKvSQREAD:Welcome to another Avelia Liberty video! The train has been successful in other tests of performance and safety, including railway dynamics, traction, braking and train control management systems, officials said. The Avelia Liberty trains would lose contact with the overhead electrified catenary wires limiting the trains speeds as Larry Biess explained. They said a team at Amtrak is evaluating and calculating any possible penalties. The only thing left holding back Alstoms Avelia Liberty trains are the ancient tracks. Source: railwaygazette.com, Cafe car of the new Alstom Avelia Liberty train. The modifications led to extra testing, extensive computer modeling and simulation runs. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. I'm not sure if the horn will work to its advantage while on the rails and when it matters most. Passengers can also enjoy services such as on-board Wi-Fi, electric sockets and reclining seats with individual reading lights, or flexible luggage racks for skis, bicycles and outsize luggage. It was to introduce a concept to the Americans that they were ignorant of. terms and conditions Officials said the adjustments ultimately will improve how the train handles curves. Pakistan: The national operator launched a passenger train consisting of 6 newly produced and 3 refurbished coaches by CRRC on the Islamabad Karachi route. The first two of 28 Avelia Liberty high-speed train sets from the French manufacturer Alstom had been expected to enter service this spring. In general, the United States plans to record state investments in the development of rail transport at the level of $66 bln USD, a third of which should be received by Amtrak, including for the projects of the transportation speed increase. The speed can be increased to 350 km/h, although that is dependent on the infrastructure on which it is running. Were doing station work at some of our key sites in Washington and New York, Yachmetz explains, and we are also going to look for reliability improvements, [including] upgrading tracks and building new train platforms, as the growth in commuter traffic is starting to impact the reliability of our inter-city trains., For now, theres plenty to keep minds occupied. Enter Alstoms new Avelia Liberty high speed train, as well as Amtraks overall NEC transformation project. The contract has recently inked with Etihad Rail to supply 3 seven-car trains of this type. Power outlets and USB ports will be between seats and more accessible to passengers. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Between 1976 and 1998, $4bn was invested in the route, but its testament to how quickly the sector is growing and passenger demands are changing that in 2010, Amtrak unveiled a master plan for high speed rail. Larry Biess, who oversees the rollout of the new Acela trains at Amtrak, said Alstom modified the trains design to address the compatibility problems identified during testing. They were electric trains but were pulled by the EMD F-40PH. Amtrak has ordered 28 train sets for use on its flagship Acela service along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C., via New York City and Philadelphia . Avelia Liberty, also known as the Acela II, is a high-speed passenger train built for the North American market by French manufacturer Alstom and assembled in the United States. Please enter a valid station, city, or address. That's a pretty aggressive schedule.. Amtrak's first Avelia Liberty heads to Pueblo for testing. The modifications were necessary to make the trains compatible with the tracks of the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak is trying to turn things around, with $55 mln USD worth of track upgrades and turnout replacements announced for this summer only, which should allow Acela II trains to reach the previously-specified 257 km/h. Alstom also expects new contracts as part of a prospective order for Amtrak, which, taking into account the takeover of Bombardier, has a significant presence in the market. ROLLINGSTOCK Agency is registered by Roskomnadzor on 12/08/2021. Airlines: JetBlue is at the center of two cases that could remake the industry, Transit: Metro to spend $55 million on wheel repairs after release of NTSB report, Air travel: 7 in hospital as turbulence forces Lufthansa plane to divert to Dulles, Rail safety: Federal advisory urges railroads to improve use of safety detectors, Fare-free: Bus program doesnt have funding, D.C. finance chief says. You are using an out of date browser. Let's try a different question. Tilting technology enables 30% higher speeds round bends, resulting in shorter journey times on existing conventional networks, with a minimum of new investment in the infrastructure. Plenty of crossings was an overstatement on my part when describing the NEC. D.C.-Baltimore maglev would benefit only the rich, Amtrak chief says. I remember Amtrak made a video a few months ago about the development of American horns, and how the high pitched horns of the 1960s sounded too much like car or truck horns and led to more accidents. Avelia trains can be adapted to different track gauges, power supplies, carbody widths and passenger capacities, with a full choice of interiors, seat pitches and ambiances. Source: Fan Railer, youtube.com. The company claims that it has delivered more than 12,000 new or modernized rolling stock units to the country and equipped more than 50% of the infrastructure with signaling systems. With 1,124 Acela trips per day, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter and Acela tickets start at just $13.47. It wasn't until the 70s when Amtrak made a horn that "sounded like a real train". The higher number of trains on the line, as well as their increased capacity compared to the current fleet (386 passengers, +25%), should allow Amtrak to cope with the growing passenger flow and increase carrying capacity by 40%. They will have 30% greater seating capacity, active tilt technology and could operate at 186 miles per hour (299 km/h) if infrastructure improvements were completed to allow the higher speeds. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. Alstom draws on its technological expertise and innovative capabilities to meet the current and future needs of operators and passengers. The new trains will be called Avelia Liberty. by Pensyfan19. The Liberty model in the Avelia series will work in Amtrak's fleet in passenger transport. 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For instance, will the 160 MPH speed apply to the fastest stretches south of NYC, namely Trenton to New Brunswick and Perryville to Wilmington where the current Acelas max out at 135 MPH? By clicking Join, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the program terms, including the binding arbitration agreement, in the With a large portfolio, Avelia solutions are the largest offering on the market for high-speed and very-high-speed solutions. Additionally, the operating speed will be increased. Avelia Liberty will be able to operate at a speed of 257 km/h against the current 240 km/h of the Acela I. Climate control is efficient in even the most challenging winter environments. If someone else has better information, maybe from Amtrak managers, hopefully they will comment, but I don't know if the Avelia even has a regular schedule. Press J to jump to the feed. In service: 22 March 1997; 25 years ago () - Present: Manufacturer: Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation: Constructed: 1995-2010: Entered service: March 1997: Scrapped: 2013- Number built: 502 vehicles (53 sets) Number in service Passwords are case sensitive. The train was designed and manufactured by Alstom. New: Amtrak is bringing back the traditional dining car, but only to a select few trains. The features include reserved seating, hand-sanitizer stations, touchless features in restrooms and HVAC modifications to increase the air-exchange rate inside cabins. If we were running on a straighter track, with a more modern infrastructure, it probably wouldnt have taken as long as it has.. The model is called the Avelia Liberty, and it will run the Acela routes (from Washington, D.C., to New York to Boston) starting in 2021, with room for 35 percent more passengers than today's . Could the new trainsets run faster at the slowest sections, e.g., running 40 MPH instead of 30 MPH. The headline number in the articles about the new trainsets bill a top speed of 160 MPH, up from the current 150 MPH top speed in part of RI & MA but it doesn't tell us what improvement there would be elsewhere and the impact on trip times. This will reduce the number of flights between cities like Washington, D.C, New York City and Boston, and reduce the traffic on Interstate 95 that connects those cities.. I was under the impression that the 135 mph restriction NYC - DC was due to the 90 year old catenary structure. Baltimore & Potomac (B&P) Tunnel Replacement Project, Maryland, US. There are better places to spend money and get more for the dollar than the Elizabeth S curve. The 386 seats on each train will have the spacious, high-end comfort customers expect. UAE: The pre-production prototype operating at 200 km/h was delivered to the country for tests back in Autumn 2022. They are going to build new tunnels in Baltimore iirc. In April this year, it became known that the commissioning of the Avelia Liberty was delayed by other 18 months and was scheduled for autumn 2023, namely 2.5 years behind the original schedule. Each train consists of two head motor cars and nine intermediate cars, including a first-class car and a cafe car. With a large portfolio, Avelia solutions are the largest offering on the market for high-speed and very-high-speed solutions. They have done a national tour for both the ICE and X2000 back in the 90s. Sherin says: With journey time reduction and an increased number of seats, the Liberty will drive [a further] increase in ridership on the NEC. It is available with Tiltronix, Alstom's anticipative tilting system. This article was published more than1 year ago. All rights reserved. Fri Dec 04, 2020 1:54 pm. The one stop shop for all relevant information for investors and shareholders. 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Its solutions cover a whole range of services, including urban transit, mainline travel, regional transport, mining networks and freight. The $2.5 billion project also includes infrastructure improvements to accommodate the new trains. Amtrak officials declined to discuss whether Alstom faces penalties, which they said are built into the contract. The train is designed to run at up to 250 km/h . Spacious restrooms with a 60-inch diameter turning radius. Continuous research and development, combined with sound validation equipment and decades of return of experience on Alstom and non-Alstom trains, guarantee that our customers will receive both state-of-the art and validated solutions. After its introduction to revenue service was delayed a year, the first Avelia Liberty trainset departed Alstoms Hornell, NY factory for delivery to Amtrak early this week. On the line between Washington and Boston, on uneven sections of the track, the contact between the pantograph and the contact wire repeatedly broke, preventing the train from building up the necessary speed. Amtrak now projects a spring 2022 debut, citing not. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Keep it interesting, topical, NON trolling, and everything will be great. 9 talking about this. When running in Europe, trains have embedded ERTMS signalling technology and can work on four different traction power voltages. Alstom University is a learning powerhouse sharing knowledge and a means for its employees to continuously upgrade themselves, their skills and competencies. Details on hydrogen trains project unveiled in India, Siemens allegedly boycotted Israel to sign a contract with Turkiye, CRRC developed a high-speed diesel push-pull train for the UAE, India targets to invest $5.7 bln in the rolling stock in the new fiscal year, TMH signed contracts on maintenance of passenger coaches in Egypt, Pakistan Railways starts to put new CRRC passenger coaches in operation. Alstom Avelia Liberty performance test in Rhode Island, April 2021. The ultimate vision, to have a high speed railroad, [will have to sit alongside] our [other] services, because it's too important to the regional economy, so we have to maintain the services, Yachmetz adds. Amtrak said most of that work has been completed, including modification of maintenance facilities in Washington, New York and Boston. And, how to ensure the service is fit for the future? All those curves in North Philly must have more than an adverse impact than Elizabeth, which is a built up downtown, not miles of abandoned factories and brown fields. Energy consumption per train is thus lower, reducing operating costs. This age created difficulties not widely seen on the much more modern and straighter tracks in Europe. On the other hand, had the X2000 been accepted it might still be running today as it is in Sweden. For the media: According to the Russian Federal Law on the Media, when distributing messages and materials published on this website, as well as in the other official channels of ROLLINGSTOCK Agency, quoting and mentioning of ROLLINGSTOCK Agency is required. The growth poses some important questions: how do you keep up with demand? We may earn a commission from links on this page. The agency noted that it has no role in setting production schedules or delivery dates for the new trains joining the Acela service. Amtraks current service uses the Acela trains, but the Liberty will, says Alstom, carry up to 33% more passengers, once they enter revenue service in 2021. The new trains are expected to operate up to a top speed of 160 miles per hour, 10 mph faster than the current generation of rolling stock. privacy policy. We offer a complete range of customised services including maintenance, modernisation, parts & repairs and support. USA: In May, the national passenger operator showed the press one of three trains currently undergoing operational testing in the country. Alstom, Siemens, Cummins, Hitachi Rail, BHEL, Wabtec, as well as Medha Servo Drives, took part in a detailed meeting with IR last week. I'm just worried that pedestrians might mistaken the Avelia Liberty's high-pitched horn for an ambulence siren or anything that's not a train. Climate control is efficient in even the most challenging winter environments. People of that era, to a good approximation, didn't have good insights into rail overseas. In April this year, it became known that the commissioning of the Avelia Liberty was delayed by other 18 months and was scheduled for autumn 2023, namely 2.5 years behind the original schedule. A second phase of testing will begin after clearance from the FRA, which provides oversight. Avelia Liberty, also known as the Acela II, is a high-speed passenger train built for the North American market by French manufacturer Alstom and assembled in the United States. Even before the train compatibility issues emerged, Alstom reported a schedule delay because of redesign work to meet safety standards. With the articulated architecture requiring fewer bogies, the train is lighter. 2020-02-20T09:57:00. The rolling stock is being assembled at Alstoms US plant in Hornell under a contract signed in August 2016 to supply 28 of these trains for the Acela service. The wait will be worth it. ! " The contract for the 28 trains was awarded in 2016 and supports about 1,300 jobs across the country, officials said, including 400 at Alstoms facilities. The new trains will replace an existing fleet of 20. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. ", "TheNEC is undergoing transformational work along the route. India: This sum is allocated in the national budget for April 2023 March 2024 while the whole budget line for the development of the railway sector totals INR 2.4 tln ($29.3 bln). Finally, on October 2nd, we chase the train from New Haven back to NJ, as it runs back to Philly as extra train 855 (2). With the Avelia range, operators and passengers have the train that precisely matches their requirements, all supported by long-standing experience and proven technology. Amtraks new Acela train cars need an extra round of testing to ensure they can safely operate on the curvy and aging tracks of the Northeast Corridor, railroad officials said, confirming a year-long delay in the delivery of the new trains.