Amtrak’s entire Acela Express fleet receives interior upgrade

Amtrak’s entire Acela Express fleet will be extensively refreshed with new train interiors to introduce a more modern and comfortable customer experience.

The Acela Express refresh programme is scheduled to last 14 months to ensure all of the 20 trainsets, including 100 cars and 6,080 seats, receive the improvements. Each trainset will be enhanced individually with new cushions and covers for all business class and first-class seats, new carpets for the aisle runners and a deep clean. The total investment is valued at more than $4 million.

“Customers expect a premium experience when they board an Acela Express train and these updated interior features will provide a more comfortable, refreshed look and feel – whether you want to relax, move about freely, work or play,” said Amtrak CEO and President, Richard Anderson.

Customers can expect a progression of upgrades: By May 2018, the first trainset will be refreshed and returned into revenue service, by June 2018, the second trainset will be refreshed and returned and then between June 2018 and July 2019, one trainset will be refreshed every three weeks.

Amtrak schedules will not be affected by the refresh, which will occur in advance of the next generation Acela trainsets debut that Amtrak announced in August 2016. These will provide 40 per cent more trains, one-third more passenger seats with the same personal space and high-end comfort, more service, better amenities and a smoother ride.

The first trainset prototype will be ready for testing in 2019 and will enter revenue service in early 2021. All trainsets in the current fleet will be retired in early 2022.

Materials from the existing Acela cushions and covers will be reused, recycled and turned into carpet padding, while the leather will be upcycled and converted into handbags, wallets and other consumer goods.