ChrisDante
October 19th, 2000, 08:28 AM
It's not a wreck, it's
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Long-awaited passenger trains capable of hurtling at speeds up to 150 miles per hour will begin regular service between Washington, New York and Boston on Dec. 11, Amtrak said on Wednesday.
The national passenger railroad took delivery of its first Acela Express as the slope-nosed silver train with blue markings glided into Washington's Union Station through a cloud of artificial smoke. On board were key Congressional rail supporters, who arrived to take part in the ceremony on Wednesday.
Amtrak has pinned much of its hopes for becoming operationally self-supporting by 2003 on the new service that looks to compete with air travel in the highly populated U.S.
Northeast.
Acela initially aims to slash New York-Boston travel time from five hours to three hours and 23 minutes, gradually working toward three hours flat.
On the Washington-New York route -- which already sees trains reach speeds of 125 miles per hour in places, but is limited by aging infrastructure -- the gains will be less ic. Initially, only 15 minutes will be erased from the current best time of three hours.
Some non-stop services planned by Amtrak are expected to do even better.
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS Originally due to begin service late last year, the train made by Montreal-based Bombardier Inc.(BBDa.TO) and
Paris-headquartered Alstom SA (ALSO.PA) was troubled by problems ranging from excessive wheel wear to broken gearbox bolts.
"Hopefully the schedule will be better than the original delivery date," quipped New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg at the acceptance ceremony.
Amtrak said regular service will begin Dec. 11 with one trip daily between Washington and Boston, stopping at New York.
Service will be added as Amtrak eventually takes delivery of 20 sets of the new trains.
A one-way Washington-New York Acela Express ticket will cost $143 in the base "business class" compared to $122 on the current Metroliner service. New York to Boston will cost $120 versus $57.
A ceremonial first train will run the Washington-New York-Boston inaugural route on Nov. 16. In the weeks leading up to the launch of regular service, the train will sometimes be substituted for other trains to give customers a preview.
Interest in rail passenger service is undergoing a revival in many parts of the United States as congested skies and highways lead policymakers and consumers to consider
alternatives.
"The traveling public are sending a distress call to escape our nation's endless traffic jams and airport gridlock," said Amtrak Chairman and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson in a statement.
TWO NEW RAIL CORRIDORS
Last week, Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater designated two new high-speed rail corridors, bringing to 10 the number of such projects nationwide that would require billions of dollars to bring to completion.
The White House has thrown its support behind a $10 billion high-speed rail bond bill developed by Lautenberg that would provide some of the necessary funding. It is unclear whether the bond bill will clear Congress before lawmakers leave to campaign for Nov. 7 elections.
Lautenberg was on board the new train when it pulled into at Union Station, along with Senators William Roth, a Delaware Republican, and Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York.
The 12,500 horsepower train, consisting of six passenger cars with power cars at each end, bears more than a passing exterior resemblance to the French TGV high-speed train, also designed by Alstom.
The interiors are spacious with large overhead luggage bins and audio outlets at each seat.
Amtrak has said it is in negotiations with Bombardier and Alstom about financial penalties for the delayed delivery of the trains but Amtrak chief executive George Warrington avoided the issue Wednesday: "I don't want to talk about that," he told
reporters.
Warrington said Amtrak conservatively estimated it would increase its revenues by $180 million a year once all 20 Acela
Express trains are running.
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http://www.trainboard.com/smiles/047.gif When in doubt, empty your magazine.
Member #33
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Long-awaited passenger trains capable of hurtling at speeds up to 150 miles per hour will begin regular service between Washington, New York and Boston on Dec. 11, Amtrak said on Wednesday.
The national passenger railroad took delivery of its first Acela Express as the slope-nosed silver train with blue markings glided into Washington's Union Station through a cloud of artificial smoke. On board were key Congressional rail supporters, who arrived to take part in the ceremony on Wednesday.
Amtrak has pinned much of its hopes for becoming operationally self-supporting by 2003 on the new service that looks to compete with air travel in the highly populated U.S.
Northeast.
Acela initially aims to slash New York-Boston travel time from five hours to three hours and 23 minutes, gradually working toward three hours flat.
On the Washington-New York route -- which already sees trains reach speeds of 125 miles per hour in places, but is limited by aging infrastructure -- the gains will be less ic. Initially, only 15 minutes will be erased from the current best time of three hours.
Some non-stop services planned by Amtrak are expected to do even better.
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS Originally due to begin service late last year, the train made by Montreal-based Bombardier Inc.(BBDa.TO) and
Paris-headquartered Alstom SA (ALSO.PA) was troubled by problems ranging from excessive wheel wear to broken gearbox bolts.
"Hopefully the schedule will be better than the original delivery date," quipped New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg at the acceptance ceremony.
Amtrak said regular service will begin Dec. 11 with one trip daily between Washington and Boston, stopping at New York.
Service will be added as Amtrak eventually takes delivery of 20 sets of the new trains.
A one-way Washington-New York Acela Express ticket will cost $143 in the base "business class" compared to $122 on the current Metroliner service. New York to Boston will cost $120 versus $57.
A ceremonial first train will run the Washington-New York-Boston inaugural route on Nov. 16. In the weeks leading up to the launch of regular service, the train will sometimes be substituted for other trains to give customers a preview.
Interest in rail passenger service is undergoing a revival in many parts of the United States as congested skies and highways lead policymakers and consumers to consider
alternatives.
"The traveling public are sending a distress call to escape our nation's endless traffic jams and airport gridlock," said Amtrak Chairman and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson in a statement.
TWO NEW RAIL CORRIDORS
Last week, Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater designated two new high-speed rail corridors, bringing to 10 the number of such projects nationwide that would require billions of dollars to bring to completion.
The White House has thrown its support behind a $10 billion high-speed rail bond bill developed by Lautenberg that would provide some of the necessary funding. It is unclear whether the bond bill will clear Congress before lawmakers leave to campaign for Nov. 7 elections.
Lautenberg was on board the new train when it pulled into at Union Station, along with Senators William Roth, a Delaware Republican, and Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York.
The 12,500 horsepower train, consisting of six passenger cars with power cars at each end, bears more than a passing exterior resemblance to the French TGV high-speed train, also designed by Alstom.
The interiors are spacious with large overhead luggage bins and audio outlets at each seat.
Amtrak has said it is in negotiations with Bombardier and Alstom about financial penalties for the delayed delivery of the trains but Amtrak chief executive George Warrington avoided the issue Wednesday: "I don't want to talk about that," he told
reporters.
Warrington said Amtrak conservatively estimated it would increase its revenues by $180 million a year once all 20 Acela
Express trains are running.
------------------
http://www.trainboard.com/smiles/047.gif When in doubt, empty your magazine.
Member #33