Amtrak improve speed of Acela trains through infrastructure investments

Credit: Amtrak

Amtrak passengers can now travel even faster on Acela as recent infrastructure improvements along a 16-mile segment of track between New Brunswick and South Brunswick can accommodate speeds of up to 150mph. This project is part of the New Jersey High-Speed Rail Improvement programme and a $450 million investment by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), and the first of many speed upgrades anticipated in the North East Corridor (NEC) that lays the framework for future trip time reduction and improves the reliability of intercity and commuter services on one of the most heavily used sections of the NEC.

“The upgrades coming from the New Jersey High-Speed Rail Improvement Programme exemplify our continual commitment to upgrade the Northeast Corridor and transform the customer experience as we welcome more passengers back on board,” Stephen Gardner, President and CEO of Amtrak, said. “Thanks to the hard work by Amtrak’s Infrastructure Maintenance and Construction Services Team and our DOT and commuter partners, our customers will experience more reliable and faster trains and better on-time performance on this busy section of the NEC.”

The completed scope included installation of new signal power cables, new catenary (overhead wire) supports and wire renewal, installation of high-speed turnouts, and renewed power substations. An additional eight miles of catenary between South Brunswick and Trenton, NJ are also currently being upgraded, with completion and speed increases expected in 2024.

These speeds are the fastest of any train in North America and matches top speeds in parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Additionally, the upgrades will also allow the new Acela trains to achieve speeds of 160mph when introduced in late 2023, further solidifying the NEC as a high-speed rail corridor and allowing Amtrak to further reduce trip time in the years ahead.

Amtrak has also restored more Acela service to its schedule, with 10 daily round-trip trains between New York and Washington, and nine round-trip trains operating between Boston and New York, providing improved schedule utility and more frequency for customers.