Avelia Liberty | TrainsDepot.org

Amtrak contracts with Alstom to produce 28x next-generation high-speed trains, designated as the NextGen Acela, intended to replace the existing Acela fleet. This initiative is part of a broader $2.45 billion investment aimed at modernizing the heavily utilized Northeast Corridor (NEC). The project reflects a partnership that leverages Amtrak's status as the sole high-speed rail operator in the United States and Alstom's extensive experience in delivering high-speed trainsets globally. The manufacturing process for the new trainsets emphasizes local production, with 95% of the components being sourced from American suppliers, leading to the creation of over 1,300 jobs across more than 90 cities in the U.S.

The NextGen Acela trains are designed to enhance the passenger experience through significant upgrades in comfort, technology, and safety. The new trainsets feature almost 25% more seating capacity, ensuring ample legroom for passengers. Additional amenities include personal power outlets, USB ports, complimentary WiFi, advanced onboard information systems, and spacious restrooms equipped with contactless features. The operational capabilities of the NextGen Acela are also noteworthy, as they are engineered to reach top speeds of 160 mph, surpassing the current Acela fleet’s maximum speed of 150 mph. This combination of speed and passenger-oriented design aims to set a new standard for rail travel in the United States.

These units are expected to enter regular service in 2021.

Sources: https://www.amtrak.com/next-generation-high-speed-trains

2019

The first units are under construction at Alstom’s facility in Hornell, New York:

Source: amtrak.com

2019

December

The first of 28x Avelia Liberty trainsets is assembled and outshopped at the Hornell plant. The delivery of these trainsets is slated for operational use in 2021, specifically designed to operate Amtrak's Acela Express services along the 735 km route that links Washington DC, New York, and Boston. The first trainset is scheduled to undergo testing at the Federal Railroad Administration's Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, prior to trial running on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in the following year.

The Avelia Liberty trainsets comprise two short-wheelbase power cars and nine articulated trailer vehicles. These will have the following registration numbers:
Power cars: registration numbers 2100 to 2155;
1st class end cars: registration numbers 3250 to 3277;
Cafe cars: registration numbers 3350 to 3377;
Business class end cars: registration numbers 3450 to 3477;
Business class (Acela class) cars: registration numbers 3600 to 3739;
1st class galley/Business class cars*: registration numbers 3900 to 3927.

The cars employ Alstom's Tiltronix anticipatory tilting technology, which enhances stability during high-speed travel. Additionally, these trainsets are equipped with a crash energy management system for improved safety. They are designed to achieve a maximum speed of 300 km/h; however, initial operations on the existing NEC infrastructure will be limited to 255 km/h. Each trainset accommodates 386 passengers, marking an increase of nearly 30% in capacity compared to the current Acela Express trainsets, which are expected to be withdrawn by the end of 2022.

* 1st class non-end cars have been repurposed to include the galley for the adjacent 1st class car, and the remainder of the car will have Business Class seating.

2020

January

The first unit, unit TS01, rolls off the production line in January 2020, and by February 11th, 2020, it is on its way to the AAR test center in Pueblo/Avondale, Colorado, for testing and certification under controlled conditions . The trainset enters the testing facility eight days later and is projected to remain there for a duration of nine months. Comprehensive certification of the entire design and all systems is required before the trainsets can be utilized in service on the Northeast Corridor.

Source: amtrak.com

At the same time, Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General warns for the first time in an audit that the new trains may not be ready the following year because they’ve seen a series of delays and renewed oversight concerns, and there’s "little margin for error".

Sources: https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/first-amtrak-acela-express-train-rolls-off-alstom-production-line/

2020

March 17

On March 17, 2020, at approximately 8 AM, the Alstom plant in Hornell, New York, ships out its second Avelia train set, unit TS02, which is routed to Philadelphia. The train is transported on Norfolk Southern Railway as a special train, pulled by Amtrak equipment, via Binghamton, Scranton, Sunbury, and Harrisburg.

Upon arrival, Amtrak is restricted to static testing and familiarization activities for the Maintenance of Fixed Equipment (MOFE) and Train & Engine (T&E) crews with the new train set. Operational use outside Amtrak's private facilities is prohibited until comprehensive testing, including brakes, power, and tracking assessments, is completed on the first train tested at Pueblo, Colorado, and the trains are certified by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

2020

May 28

Unit TS02 starts test runs on the Keystone Corridor, between Philadelphia and Harrisburg

2021

May

Amtrak officially announces a delay in revenue service until 2022.

2021

November 3

The third unit, unit TS03, the first non-test unit, leaves the factory.

Sources: https://eu.eveningtribune.com/story/news/2021/11/03/acela-high-speed-train-hornell-amtrak-alstom/6265625001/

2022

February 25

In the Amtrak's "Update on Acquisitions And Capital Programs" report from February 25th, 2022, delays in dynamic modeling correlation activities needed for high-speed qualification testing & approval as well as railway dynamics testing scheduled for Fall 2022 and expanded high-speed testing targeted for late 2022 suggest entry into regular service will suffer further delays.

2022

March 31

Amtrak unveils interiors for the new trainsets:

Source: amtrak.com

View all 10 photos in the photo gallery

At the same time, Amtrak specifies the new trainsets are expected to be ready for service in 2023. Delays have occurred due to the need for further computer modeling and simulation tests. Amtrak indicates that these trainsets are the first built under the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Tier III rule, which introduces updated design specifications intended for operation at higher speeds and on shared corridors. This development is significant, as it suggests a shift towards modern standards that can enhance safety while accommodating faster travel.

The trainsets are designed to be 25% lighter than the current Acela models, which were constructed according to earlier standards. The Tier III regulations permit the inclusion of crush zones that can absorb impacts, provided that the passenger compartment is engineered to protect occupants. This approach aligns with practices utilized by European, Japanese, and Chinese train manufacturers to achieve higher speeds on dedicated railways with stringent track specifications.

Testing of these trainsets has taken place at the Association of American Railroads’ Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, where they have reached speeds exceeding their rated maximum of 160 mph. A crucial aspect of the testing process involves assessing performance across the various operating conditions found on the Northeast Corridor, which stretches from Washington, D.C., to Boston. This corridor comprises a mix of infrastructure, including vintage tunnels and newly upgraded high-speed segments, presenting a range of operational challenges.

Following the initial testing, Alstom has noted that modifications were made to enhance the trainsets' performance on the Northeast Corridor. These modifications include adding mass to the ends of each car and installing additional anti-roll bars on the café car, optimizing the center of gravity and load distribution to improve handling on the corridor's curves. Alstom has emphasized that these changes necessitate updates to the computational models to validate the trainsets' behavior, alongside the ongoing testing required by the FRA.

Concerning the interaction with Amtrak’s ACSES positive train control system and potential electromagnetic interference, Alstom has stated that their modeling activities account for all possible track conditions along the Northeast Corridor and are not limited to specific signaling systems. The company, leveraging over 40 years of experience in high-speed train design and manufacturing, does not foresee the need for physical alterations to the trainsets. The ongoing modeling and simulation processes are expected to confirm the design integrity and compliance with FRA safety requirements.

As of April 13, Alstom has confirmed that no changes were made to the trainsets as a consequence of the Northeast Corridor testing, and scheduled testing continues. The company remains committed to collaborating with Amtrak and the FRA to deliver a safe and reliable transportation solution to passengers in the near future.

Sources: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/alstom-explains-latest-delay-for-new-acela-deployment/

2023

February

In the Amtrak's "Update on Acquisitions And Capital Programs" report from February 3rd, 2023, it is acknowledged:
Trainsets TS04 and TS05 have been delivered;
Trainsets TS06 and TS07 targeted for delivery in February and March 2023 respectively;
Start of revenue service, targeted for late CY2023.

2023

May 27

The new trains scheduled to debut in fall need more analysis to ensure they can safely operate on the curvy and aging tracks between Washington and Boston, railroad officials said, saying the new trains are now slated to enter service in 2024, at least three years behind schedule.

Their delivery has been snarled by multiple delays, including some stemming from unforeseen complexities in testing and computer simulation processes required by the Federal Railroad Administration. Amtrak and train manufacturer Alstom have cited some compatibility hiccups between the high-tech train, modeled after those in operation across Europe, and infrastructure that dates back 190 years in some areas.

The latest hurdle, officials said, involves testing the train’s wheels, particularly at higher speeds.

"The modeling of the wheel to track interface is particularly complex due to age, condition, and specific characteristics of Amtrak infrastructure on the Northeast corridor, and especially the existing tracks", Alstom said in a statement.

Sources: https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/05/27/amtrak-acela-trains-delayed/

2023

September 29

In the "Major Programs: Company Improved Management of New Acela Program, but Additional Delays and Cost Increases are Likely (OIG‐A‐2023‐013)" memorandum, the following are highlighted:
The New Acela program is a key initiative aimed at modernizing Amtrak's high-speed rail service. The program is currently more than three years behind schedule, with indications that additional delays are likely. The recent reassessment of the program's management highlights improvements made since 2020, but ongoing challenges continue to hinder progress. Significant cost increases have arisen due to these delays, which have also affected operational capabilities and postponed the anticipated revenue service launch.
The vendor responsible for the New Acela program has yet to produce a validated computer model that meets federal regulations. This model is crucial for demonstrating the safety and performance of the trainsets, which is a prerequisite for further testing and ultimately for approval by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to operate in passenger revenue service. Currently, the vendor has produced 12 trainsets and 22 café cars; however, all units have been reported to have defects. While the emergence of some defects is typical in new rolling stock production, the vendor's incomplete schedule for addressing these defects raises concerns. The lack of complete information prevents Amtrak from assessing the potential impact on the overall program timeline and the eventual launch of revenue service.
The challenges faced by the New Acela program are not isolated; they reflect broader issues that have occurred in other rolling stock acquisitions undertaken by Amtrak. As the company embarks on a multi-billion dollar initiative to replace its long-distance trains, it recognizes the necessity of learning from the New Acela experience. Recommendations include enhancing processes to formally capture lessons learned from both the New Acela and other rolling stock purchases, mandating the vendor to deliver comprehensive and accurate schedules for defect remediation, and collaborating with the vendor to identify risks associated with future defects.

On October 11th, 2023, Alstom comments following the report:
"Alstom is working closely with the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak as we work through their first-ever safety certification for high-speed trains to ensure that these new trains meet all FRA requirements for entry into service. As part of the validation, in addition to ongoing modeling activities, we have already successfully run these trains on the FRA’s Pueblo, Colo. test track at high speed and on the Northeast Corridor for a total of nearly 70,000 miles."
"Alstom continues to produce these, the first American, union-made, high-speed Avelia Liberty trains in Hornell, N.Y. It is industry standard to begin production simultaneously with validation. As we proceed through the process to have these trains validated by the FRA, Alstom has shipped 9 out of 28 trains and are storing a number of them offsite to ensure a continuity of production."
"We are surprised with so-called ‘defects’ that the OIG report identifies. Every train that has been released from the manufacturing site were authorized for shipping by Amtrak after thorough inspections, with identified modifications to be completed prior to acceptance. These modifications will be completed before final acceptance of the trainsets, as it is foreseen in the contract and customary in our industry. These modifications, along with additional changes that has Amtrak requested are in no way in the critical path of completion of this project."

Sources: https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/high-performance/amtrak-oig-new-acela-program-facing-additional-delays-increased-costs/

2024

February

In the Amtrak's "Amtrak New Fleet Acquisition Updates" report from February 2024, the following updates are highlighted:
Approval for Stage 1 Qualification Testing (QTP2) was received from the FRA in December 2023. Testing began the week of January 8th, 2024, and is expected to continue through the end of March 2024;
Trainsets TS03, TS04 and TS05 were returned to Hornell and replaced with units TS08, TS09 and TS10 in Penn Coach Yard (PCY). This exchange reduced the number of outstanding modifications in the field (FMIs);
TS11 is targeted for delivery from Hornell in February 2024 and will be used for training (e.g., mechanical QMP, Engineer/Conductor, OBS etc.);
Start of revenue service, targeted for late CY2024.

2024

December 8

The new units are now scheduled to start passenger service in spring 2025, pending the successful completion of final tests. The manufacturer, Alstom, is in the process of submitting results from qualification testing to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which is a necessary step before the trains can enter pre-revenue testing.

Sources: https://www.nj.com/news/2024/12/amtraks-fastest-trains-in-us-could-start-carrying-passengers-in-spring.html

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