Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Amtrak is preparing to introduce new high-speed trains, including 160-mph Acela cars, which are due to arrive in Connecticut by late 2024. This initiative is part of a broader effort by officials in Hartford and Washington, D.C.
, to modernize the state’s rail infrastructure. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has already rolled out newer, all-electric M8 trainsets on its Shore Line East service, aligning with the Metro-North’s New Haven Line that adopted these trains earlier. In contrast, other rail operators like Amtrak are still operating older fleets scheduled for retirement.
Impact on Connecticut Rail Travel The Northeast Corridor, the busiest inter-city passenger rail route in the nation, sees over 12 million passengers annually. It runs from Washington, D.C.
to Boston, with Acela being the only high-speed service until Florida’s Brightline began operations. The introduction of new Acela trains has faced delays, originally set for 2021 but now expected to launch publicly in late 2024. Assembled in New York and tested in Colorado, these trains will offer speeds up to 160 mph, although Connecticut’s rail congestion and infrastructure will limit these speeds.
The new Acela trains will accommodate more passengers and feature amenities such as outlets, USB ports, and complimentary wifi. Future Upgrades: Northeast Regional Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service, known for being slower and cheaper than Acela, will also see upgrades. The.
