Acela 21 (Avelia Liberty) development, testing and deployment (2Q 2024)

[JuniusLivonius]

8:06PM - Avelia Liberty lights on in Penn Coach Yard. Immediately went on the move.

This trainset was parked closer to the viaduct (normally they take the one near the parking garage) so I wonder if this is a test of a different trainset or they re-arranged things today.

8:09PM - KP2022 to CETC-5: Holmes - Grundy testing today (Pennsylvania)

8:30PM - KP2022 stopped over the Schuylkill river

8:43PM - Left the bridge and headed east

 

[Acela150]

The test bed set was moved to Track 30 in the yard. I took a look this morning to confirm.

 

[JuniusLivonius]

The test bed set was moved to Track 30 in the yard. I took a look this morning to confirm.

Thanks. I guess it's easy to tell because its paint is falling off.


~8:27PM KP2022 sitting around waiting for dispatcher near Penn Coach Yard. I think they said they're on the MH track. Sounds like they're waiting on 55 which is heading towards Wilmington.

9:04PM KP2022 OK on signal indication. At 9:07PM Avelia Liberty passed South St heading south.

 

[Acela150]

Thanks. I guess it's easy to tell because its paint is falling off.


~8:27PM KP2022 sitting around waiting for dispatcher near Penn Coach Yard. I think they said they're on the MH track. Sounds like they're waiting on 55 which is heading towards Wilmington.

9:04PM KP2022 OK on signal indication. At 9:07PM Avelia Liberty passed South St heading south.

Their are a few ways for me to tell what the test bed set looks like and where it is.

 

[NE933]

The paint is falling off? Are you guys serious?

 

[Acela150]

They were prepping the test bed set for some testing tonight. (8/24)

 

[Acela150]

Train 844 is slated to run tomorrow (8/26) PHL-BOS with the test bed set. I believe that the plan is for testing along the shoreline. Scheduled to leave around 9am.

 

[Acela150]

The trainset was pulling out of Penn Coach Yard this morning at 920. (8/26)

 

[Acela150]

KP2022 was sitting on the Tail Track at MANTUA at 8pm this evening (8/29). Not sure what they were doing tonight. But a guess says putting miles on a trainset.

 

[TRA_Thom]

I’m on train 2150 northbound right now. Just south of Kingston, RI, an Avelia passed us traveling southbound at high speed. Luckily I got a video of it, the only number I can make out is the back power car number, 2124.

Assuming they’re doing tests on the “high speed” section?

 

[Acela150]

I’m on train 2150 northbound right now. Just south of Kingston, RI, an Avelia passed us traveling southbound at high speed. Luckily I got a video of it, the only number I can make out is the back power car number, 2124.

Assuming they’re doing tests on the “high speed” section?

Negative. Trainset is on the way to Philly.

 

[NE933]

Well, the way I see it seems these things will not be working any time soon. They make great looking trains running up and down the Corridor for decorative purposes. I never had a working HO set and catching an Acela 2 should be a treat to look at, riding in one is just not in the cards I suppose.

 

[dlerach]

Is there any update on the suspected introduction date of the Avelia trainsets? Is there any hope of rolling them out before 2025?

 

[Acela150]

TS 2 the test bed set is slated to return to Philly tonight (9/3)

 

[JWM]

TS 2 the test bed set is slated to return to Philly tonight (9/3)

I pray these sets do not have the issue like the "Charger" locomotives elsewhere.

 

[JuniusLivonius]

TS 2 the test bed set is slated to return to Philly tonight (9/3)

Are they running as Extra 843? At 11:50PM 843 requested a foul 4 track County - Lincoln.

CETC-8 mentioned KP2022 when clearing the foul though at 12:10AM. Did they change names while traveling or is there ambiguity around its running name?

 

[Steve4031]

What is the purpose of these test runs? There is a gloom and doom thread on another railfan website stating these trains will never carry passengers. It does not make sense to me that Amtrak would pay employees to run these trains up and down the corridor if they were not going to be put into service.

 

[PVD]

Certain sites have regular posters who seem to spend their lives looking for the clouds and not the silver lining. As many have said "everyone is entitled to their own opinion, just not their own facts"

 

[Acela150]

Are they running as Extra 843? At 11:50PM 843 requested a foul 4 track County - Lincoln.

CETC-8 mentioned KP2022 when clearing the foul though at 12:10AM. Did they change names while traveling or is there ambiguity around its running name?

What is the purpose of these test runs? There is a gloom and doom thread on another railfan website stating these trains will never carry passengers. It does not make sense to me that Amtrak would pay employees to run these trains up and down the corridor if they were not going to be put into service.

They were running as 843 yes. I believe that the 2022 crew picked up the trainset in NYP.

Ignore the doom and gloom. The purpose of the testing is to satisfy FRA requirements.

 

[railiner]

Is it just my imagination, or is this train enduring far more testing than any predecessors?

 

[NE933]

2 days ago there was a trainset in Sunnyside yard. I have seen one there in several occasions while on the Long Island RR.

 

[JWM]

Some see the glass as half empty to use an old cliche. The new equipment has to be tested as if it is unreliable, the old air shuttle will be back with a vengeance.

 

[Steve4031]

I understood that there would be a series of tests, and the new trains would eventually enter service in 2024. So now I have been seeing posts about test runs but no updates about progress.

 

[jis]

I understood that there would be a series of tests, and the new trains would eventually enter service in 2024. So now I have been seeing posts about test runs but no updates about progress.

Given the state of affairs in 2023, when Alstom was unable to produce the necessary simulation software to behave like the actual train, when they were planning to use the simulation software as a component of the certification testing, the very fact that FRA is finding it useful to actually do test runs against a now validated simulation is in itself a huge progress. Before this the project was pretty much dead in the water. Now it is pretty close to getting certified and ready to be deployed.

 

[Steve4031]

Given the state of affairs in 2023, when Alstom was unable to produce the necessary simulation software to behave like the actual train, when they were planning to use the simulation software as a component of the certification testing, the very fact that FRA is finding it useful to actually do test runs against a now validated simulation is in itself a huge progress. Before this the project was pretty much dead in the water. Now it is pretty close to getting certified and ready to be deployed.

As always, Jishnu, you provide a balanced, informed context for what is going on, which I appreciate very much. I am looking forward to riding these trains.