Some details from recent round trip to Boston via Acela
I usually make a few trips to NYC or Boston every year - mainly via NEC regional trains. I decided to splurge on this trip and take Acela all the way to Boston. In a word or two - it was nice!
On Monday May 3 - took 2154 out of BWI. The train appeared to be half full, which is not too surprising. Of course we were nearly full by the time we hit NYC. Likewise, the train was fairly full when we departed NYC and only thinned out slightly along the way to Boston. In other words - this seemed to be a very popular train! I took 2173 out of Boston on May 6th. Similarly, the train was moderately full when we departed, but was nearly full when we arrived in NYC. 2173 was nearly full when we departed NYC and thinned out by the time we hit PHL.
I was really curious to compare how fast the Acela travels in comparison to regional trains, and was particularly interested to see where the max speeds were reached. Typical cruising speeds were in the mid-120's with max speeds in the 130-135 range from time to time between BAL and NYC. Advertised max speeds of 150 were briefly reached between New Haven and Providence and between Providence and RTE 128 station near Boston; however there were times when we were traveling at more 140-145 in along this segment of the route.
I had mixed success with the Wi-Fi service. Checking e-mail and various web sites was not a problem between BAL and NYC, but it was challenging at times between NYC and Providence/Boston. I had similar experiences on the return trip on Acela 2173 Thursday afternoon.
There was plenty of overhead storage for carry-on bags. Not that there was a shortage of storage space since most folks seem to be traveling light with just small carry-on bags, back packs and laptop bags.
I managed to sit in the quiet car on 2154 out of BWI and was pleased to see the conductor politely, but assertively, reminding folks who were using their cell phones that they had to move to another car if they wanted to make calls. I didn't sit in the quiet car on the return trip, but wish I had. There was one woman who seem to have no cognizance of just how far her voice carried. So everyone within about 20 feet of her got to hear about her work endeavors. Fortunately, she was only going to New Haven. Having said this, let me say that a majority of the passengers seemed to be very respectful of their fellow passengers.
So there is no question in my mind that the Acela provides a nice ride! This after all is not too surprising given the Acela is more modern in comparison to the regional trains. But, newer does not always mean better! For me, I'm not sure if its worth the extra expense to save 20-30 minutes taking Acela to NYC. I will certainly consider the extra expense when going to Boston!
Deimos
I usually make a few trips to NYC or Boston every year - mainly via NEC regional trains. I decided to splurge on this trip and take Acela all the way to Boston. In a word or two - it was nice!
On Monday May 3 - took 2154 out of BWI. The train appeared to be half full, which is not too surprising. Of course we were nearly full by the time we hit NYC. Likewise, the train was fairly full when we departed NYC and only thinned out slightly along the way to Boston. In other words - this seemed to be a very popular train! I took 2173 out of Boston on May 6th. Similarly, the train was moderately full when we departed, but was nearly full when we arrived in NYC. 2173 was nearly full when we departed NYC and thinned out by the time we hit PHL.
I was really curious to compare how fast the Acela travels in comparison to regional trains, and was particularly interested to see where the max speeds were reached. Typical cruising speeds were in the mid-120's with max speeds in the 130-135 range from time to time between BAL and NYC. Advertised max speeds of 150 were briefly reached between New Haven and Providence and between Providence and RTE 128 station near Boston; however there were times when we were traveling at more 140-145 in along this segment of the route.
I had mixed success with the Wi-Fi service. Checking e-mail and various web sites was not a problem between BAL and NYC, but it was challenging at times between NYC and Providence/Boston. I had similar experiences on the return trip on Acela 2173 Thursday afternoon.
There was plenty of overhead storage for carry-on bags. Not that there was a shortage of storage space since most folks seem to be traveling light with just small carry-on bags, back packs and laptop bags.
I managed to sit in the quiet car on 2154 out of BWI and was pleased to see the conductor politely, but assertively, reminding folks who were using their cell phones that they had to move to another car if they wanted to make calls. I didn't sit in the quiet car on the return trip, but wish I had. There was one woman who seem to have no cognizance of just how far her voice carried. So everyone within about 20 feet of her got to hear about her work endeavors. Fortunately, she was only going to New Haven. Having said this, let me say that a majority of the passengers seemed to be very respectful of their fellow passengers.
So there is no question in my mind that the Acela provides a nice ride! This after all is not too surprising given the Acela is more modern in comparison to the regional trains. But, newer does not always mean better! For me, I'm not sure if its worth the extra expense to save 20-30 minutes taking Acela to NYC. I will certainly consider the extra expense when going to Boston!
Deimos
