The first in a series of videos featuring Amtrak experts answering questions submitted by passengers via social media outlets is now online as part of the company's new "Ask Our Expert" program.

Al Engel, Amtrak vice president of high-speed rail, answered questions about high-speed rail submitted on Facebook and Twitter. His videotaped responses can be viewed on the Amtrak YouTube channel.

The "Ask Our Expert" program is designed to provide passengers and the public with a platform to ask questions about Amtrak and to have those questions answered by various subject matter experts within the company.

Engel responded to numerous questions from Facebook fans including: "What counts as high speed?," "Why not extend high-speed rail south of D.C.?," "What's being done in the immediate future to speed up the Acela?" and "When will this country finally move to a real intercity rail infrastructure similar to the Bullet or ICE high speed rail trains?"

Potential topics for future "Ask Our Expert" videos include AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi service, food and beverage services, environmental initiatives and insight into life as a conductor.

Topics and a specific time for accepting questions will be posted on Facebook and Twitter.