Amtrak reveals modernized interiors for Acela Express trains

Amtrak revealed the interiors on its new Acela Express fleet, which will redefine the customer experience on Amtrak’s premium Northeast Corridor (NEC) service. The new trains, scheduled to enter service in the NEC in 2021, will provide travelers with world-class accommodations and amenities, along with a smoother and even more comfortable ride.

The new Acela trainset interiors will feature spacious and smooth leather seats, with integrated in-seat lighting and personal electrical outlets and USB ports. Each seat will be equipped with dual tray tables providing customers with a large and small table option.

To assist customers as they move throughout the train, handles have been integrated into the seatbacks. Customers will also experience a high-tech onboard information system, with six LED screens in each train car that provide real time information such as location, train speed, and conductor announcements.

Other enhancements include Wi-Fi, an advanced seat reservation system that easily distinguishes seat availability, streamlined overhead luggage and spacious ADA-compliant restrooms with a 60-inch diameter turning radius.

“The next generation of Acela trains will set a new standard for rail service in the U.S., providing our customers with a superior travel experience,” said VP, Amtrak Northeast Corridor Service Line, Caroline Decker.

The new trainsets will accommodate 386 passengers, an increase of nearly 30%, while preserving the spacious, high-end comfort of the current Acela Express service that customers enjoy today. The seats were designed based on feedback from Amtrak customers.

The prototype of the new trainsets, in production at Alstom’s manufacturing plant in Hornell, N.Y., will be ready in 2019, with the first train entering service in 2021. All the trainsets are expected to be in service by the end of 2022.

In advance of the arrival of the new trainsets and to ensure the ongoing comfort of our customers, Amtrak has invested more than $4 million in an extensive refresh of the current Acela Express train interiors.