New Acela trains set to make their grand entrance, according to Amtrak's announcement
Amtrak's NextGen Acela: The Fastest Train in the USA
Amtrak's NextGen Acela, scheduled to start revenue service (August 28), will be the fastest train in the United States, reaching a top speed of 160 miles per hour (257 km/h). However, several high-speed and maglev trains worldwide surpass this speed, particularly China’s revolutionary maglev technology and Japan’s leading bullet train systems.
The NextGen Acela was initially expected to enter service in 2022, but numerous hurdles delayed its introduction. Five of the new trainsets will be part of the initial launch, with a total of 28 expected to enter service by 2027. The exact date for the start of revenue service on August 28 is yet to be confirmed.
The new trains will operate along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, New York, and Boston. They will offer 27% more seats per departure, featuring individual power outlets, reading lights, and winged headrests for comfort and privacy. A tilt system will provide a smoother, quieter ride on the new trains.
In comparison, China’s Maglev trains are currently the fastest, with tests reaching up to 620 miles per hour (1,000 km/h) at Donghu Laboratory. Other Chinese Maglev trains have demonstrated speeds around 373 miles per hour (600 km/h), close to Japan’s top bullet train speed of 375 miles per hour (603 km/h) by the L0 Series maglev. The Shanghai Maglev, in commercial operation, runs at speeds up to 268 miles per hour (431 km/h), faster than the NextGen Acela but slower than test maglevs. China’s next-generation electric multiple unit trains such as the CR450 Fuxing are designed for commercial service at speeds up to 400 km/h (249 mph), exceeding the NextGen Acela’s max speed. Japan’s L0 Series maglev train holds a record speed of 375 miles per hour (603 km/h), currently the fastest commercial train speed before the upcoming Chinese maglev tests.
Amtrak President Roger Harris announced the debut of NextGen Acela on Thursday. Laura Mason, Amtrak executive vice president, stated that the NextGen Acela provides a fundamentally better travel experience than any American train to date. As the launch approaches, Amtrak will provide more information about how passengers can locate and select NextGen Acela trains.
| Train Type | Max Speed (mph) | Max Speed (km/h) | Notes | |-----------------------------|-----------------|------------------|----------------------------------| | Donghu Lab Maglev (China) | 620 | 1,000 | Test speed, not commercial | | Japan L0 Series Maglev | 375 | 603 | Commercial record holder | | CRRC China Maglev (recent) | 373 | 600 | Near L0 speed, commercial intent | | CR450 Fuxing (China) | 249 | 400 | Future commercial service | | Shanghai Maglev (China) | 268 | 431 | Commercially operational | | Amtrak NextGen Acela (USA) | 160 | 257 | New fastest US train |
The world's fastest trains in Asia and Europe can travel at more than 200 miles per hour, which is faster than the NextGen Acela. Both the current and NextGen models will be in operation in the coming months.
- The NextGen Acela, set to start service on August 28, will be the fastest train in the USA, reaching speeds of 160 miles per hour, but it pales in comparison to the world's fastest trains in Asia and Europe that can travel over 200 miles per hour.
- The automotive industry undoubtedly features some of the world's fastest trains, with China leading the way, boasting Maglev trains that have exceeded speeds of 600 km/h (373 miles per hour), far surpassing the top speed of Amtrak's NextGen Acela at 257 km/h (160 miles per hour).
- In the realm of finance, investments in the transportations sector, such as high-speed rail, seem to yield significant returns, as evidenced by the staggering speeds that trains in the industry now reach, leaving the NextGen Acela's top speed looking quite modest in the global news landscape.
