Amtrak chief faults train makers for brake problems
Acela Express trains, currently out of service indefinitely, are manufactured by Bombardier and Alstom.
Amtrak President David Gunn said this week that he believes the makers of the Acela Express trains overestimated the life expectancy of their brake rotors, forcing Amtrak to pull the entire fleet out of service for repairs.
“I believe they misjudged the life of the rotors,” Gunn told the Associated Press. “Their life expectancy was less than they had planned and they were caught without a supply.”
A spokesperson for Bombardier Inc. said the brakes' disc face showed normal wear and what caused the cracks on the spokes of the brakes is still under investigation.
Acela trains, which are out of service indefinitely, are manufactured by Bombardier and Alstom.
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