Acela 21 (Avelia Liberty) development, testing and deployment (2018 - 1Q 2024)

[daybeers]

Update from the NGEC. The transit in Philly tested at 125 MPH. But has been sidelined for now with PTC issues, which for something new isn't all to surprising.

- Amtrak Equipment Procurement Update – as of 6-16-20:
On the Acela: The first Trainset is at Pueblo at TTCI for testing. It has reached speeds up to 165 mph on the test track. The second Trainset has done a few early runs out of Philly a couple of times and has reached 125 mph. There are still a few PTC issues that are being worked on.
On the Charger Locomotives: The locomotive continues to be under construction with little impact from the COVID 19 pandemic. It remains on schedule for February-March (2021) delivery of the first test locomotive on the NEC.
On the Intercity Trainset Procurement: This procurement is proceeding, but it is at a stage where it remains in the “cone of silence”.

Any news on NEC North testing? I'd go down to New Haven/somewhere on the shore to see it.

 

[Acela150]

Any news on NEC North testing? I'd go down to New Haven/somewhere on the shore to see it.

As it stands now, no. A fairly reliable source on Facebook stated the other day that the trainset will be holding still in Penn Coach Yard until the beginning of the new month. But as with anything you hear on Facebook, take it with a grain of salt. Yesterday I passed by 30th Street and their were some folks working on a Power Car on the roof. The past few times I've passed by, the track that the Trainset is on at the time has had the overhead grounded.

 

[Acela150]

But as with anything you hear on Facebook, take it with a grain of salt.

I'm proving my own point here.. The trainset was out on the Harrisburg Line today.

 

[Acela150]

If one goes to the 12 minute mark the Trainset appears shortly after.

 

[Acela150]

She took a stroll to DC today. Video credit to SuperStar Rendon.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

She took a stroll to DC today. Video credit to SuperStar Rendon.

What's he doing at MY station? (There was at least one other guy there, but I didn't get the H/U in time to show up...thank goodness considering the heat)

 

[Acela150]

What's he doing at MY station? (There was at least one other guy there, but I didn't get the H/U in time to show up...thank goodness considering the heat)

If it makes you feel better I didn't know about it. I got tossed from the good NEC group. Although I've heard that group isn't "fun" anymore. But even if I did know I had to work today. Do you know when she headed south?

 

[Agent]

Here's a video from August 14 by Fan Railer featuring the new Acela testing in Pennsylvania. Video begins with a clip of the train speeding by. Then at 2:24 the train set is shown again being towed by ACS-64 AMTK 669. Video description says there was a "mechanical fault."

 

[Acela150]

The set was out to Harrisburg a few times last week. It looks like it's been PTC and Cab Signal testing thus far. Testing will be going towards the night time this week AFAIK.

 

[railiner]

Here's a video from August 14 by Fan Railer featuring the new Acela testing in Pennsylvania. Video begins with a clip of the train speeding by. Then at 2:24 the train set is shown again being towed by ACS-64 AMTK 669. Video description says there was a "mechanical fault."

Nice video....I couldn't help but smile when I saw the "low-tech" red flag used as a marker towards the end of the video....quite a contrast....

 

[Acela150]

Nice video....I couldn't help but smile when I saw the "low-tech" red flag used as a marker towards the end of the video....quite a contrast....

By rule it counts as a "good marker". I've done it a couple of times working freight.

 

[railiner]

By rule it counts as a "good marker". I've done it a couple of times working freight.

Not disputing that, but hanging from a boxcar is one thing, but seeing it used from a 'state-of-the-art', high speed train is another....

 

[Acela150]

Not disputing that, but hanging from a boxcar is one thing, but seeing it used from a 'state-of-the-art', high speed train is another....

Trust me, I gotcha.

In other news... Their is a crew in place as of Yesterday (8/24). Signs up at Race Street at 7pm, off duty at 3am, Monday-Friday. They were out last night and again tonight. Not sure where they are off to tonight.

Video from last night from SuperStarRendon.

 

[west point]

wonder what that red lght is on the 1st or 2nd car ?

 

[daybeers]

Awesome! It looks great running faster. This may mean we could see high speed testing soon, will it be 186 mph?

 

[railiner]

wonder what that red lght is on the 1st or 2nd car ?

Looks to me more like a white light to illuminate the doorway, perhaps reflecting off the red around it (first class car?)....probably shouldn't be on unless door was open or ajar?

 

[west point]

Awesome! It looks great running faster. This may mean we could see high speed testing soon, will it be 186 mph?

According to the requirement of testing to over 10% of regular service that would mean max authorized speed for revenue service would be 170 MPH ? 160 would mean testing to 176. However I feel the higher speed tests would be nice if Amtrak can get some locations track speed above 160 sometime in the future.

The more difference in speeds from Regional trains the better for overall Amtrak services . IMHO that will attract more passenger to both Acela-2 and Regional trains.

 

[Fan Railer]

Compilation of test runs between Jersey Avenue and Holmesburg Junction over the last couple of nights. Enjoy!

 

[jis]

Here is some information about the horn, quoting Michael Kam's post on Facebook:

The horn is comprised of a KS2 and a KS4A mounted on separate single chime manifolds located behind a grill adjacent to the headlights. It is operated by a hi-lo selector that only allows one of the trumpets to be blown at a time.

 

[Fan Railer]

KP2021 testing on the night of 9/4/20 between Holmes and Grundy:

 

[Fan Railer]

More testing tonight.

 

[Thunder]

Anyone know when the Pueblo set is coming back?
I need to schedule to be off when it does

 

[Acela150]

Anyone know when the Pueblo set is coming back?
I need to schedule to be off when it does

If only the railroad cared about railfans and what works for them.

 

[Thunder]

Points to my profile pic and rolls your eyes back.

i am the one that ran it from Chicago to Fort Madison. But hey, thanks for playing .

 

[Acela150]

All I can see in your profile picture is an Engine.