Amtrak has completed an extensive refresh of its train interiors on the entire Acela fleet, which travels along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Boston and Washington, D.C. The project is one of several initiatives designed to introduce a more modern and comfortable travel experience.

The project took 15 months to refresh all 20 trainsets, which included 100 Amtrak cars and 6,080 total seats. Each trainset was refreshed individually with new cushions and covers for all Business Class and First-Class seats, new carpet for the aisle runner and a deep clean of each train car. The total investment is valued at more than $4 million.

The refresh of the current fleet occurred in advance of the debut of the next generation Acela trainsets (see video below). The new trainsets will provide 40% more trains, more passenger seats with the same ample 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 2021. All trainsets in the current fleet will be retired in early 2022.

Amtrak advanced its sustainability program by upcycling the Acela leather into handbags, wallets, and other consumer goods that customers can purchase on their website. The remaining refresh cushions and covers were turned into carpet padding.