Acela Express Garners Raves

ByABC News
November 17, 2000, 11:51 AM

B O S T O N, Nov. 17 -- For decades, the people running Amtrak had towince when Americans returning from overseas train tripsproclaimed: Why cant you do that here?

U.S. rail officials think theyve finally got an answer: theAcela Express, a 150 mph bullet train that hit record speeds andgrabbed rave reviews Thursday on its debut Washington-to-Bostonrun.

A full load of VIPs nibbled on salmon, filet mignon, prosciuttoand caviar hors doeuvres as they made history aboard the first of20 sleek new trains that will barrel along Amtraks NortheastCorridor at speeds approaching those of trains in Japan, France andelsewhere.

Todays inaugural run symbolizes the beginning of a new era ofAmerican transportation, Transportation Secretary Rodney Slatersaid at a kickoff ceremony in Washington.

Just the Beginning

Regular service on the train begins Dec. 11 in the Northeast.Legislation pending in Congress would help Amtrak raise $10 billionover 10 years to construct other high-speed corridors around thenation.

A nationwide system of high-speed rail would require billions ofpublic dollars to lay new track, straighten curves, eliminatehighway crossings and perform other upgrades of the nations railnetwork.

This is all about money, said Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, the Amtrak chairman. He said the federal government gives shortshrift to railroads compared with its spending on highways and airtravel.

You get what you pay for, Thompson said.

Amtrak received the first of 20 eight-car train sets last monthfrom the consortium building Acela Express Canadas Bombardier Transportation and Frances Alstom Ltd. All 20 trains should be in service by next summer.

Problems with the tilt technology that helps speed the trainthrough curves, along with premature wheel wear, forced a delay inplans to begin Acela Express in October 1999.

Acela Express will cut about a half-hour off the currentMetroliner service between Washington and New York and about 45minutes off the New York-to-Boston trip.