Acela II (Alstom Avelia Liberty): Design, Production, Delivery, Acceptance

KP2022 is the crew symbol, regardless of which equipment they have.

Night of Aug 1: Avelia Liberty test train on the move out of PCY at 8:03PM. LFG.

CNJGeep wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:05 am KP2022 is the crew symbol, regardless of which equipment they have.

I guess. Sometimes they'll take the Avelia one night, use a Charger set the next night, then go back to the Avelia again the third night. I think it's better described (besides being a train identity) as a test plan mostly meant for Avelia's racetrack testing in New Jersey but can work for anything that needs to test back and forth in the same area. There was in fact KP2021 starting in late 2020 but changing the name every year was probably too much. Anything else including Avelia point-to-point moves should be Extras. There was also an extra (Extra 815?) some day last week doing some testing in the area but I haven't (re)located the radio communications or any other information.

Last night I overheard the engineer of KP2022 say "we'll be here tomorrow" when talking with NJT #3742. Big thanks to the engineer of 3737/3742/3805 who is very conversational with the test train. No other radio contact last night.

west point wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2024 9:41 am Has Amtrak finished all the modifications to BOS, SSY, PHL,& WASH for servicing the new AX-2s? Uf they are not finished then ho9w can regular service start? It is noted that the Airo facilities are not all even financed with completion stated as year 2029.

https://nec-commission.com/app/uploads/ ... Nov-23.pdf

We had an outside contractor come in and do some minor modifications to our high-speed building in Boston about 4 years ago. Nothing since. Word on the street is that they will be building a whole new building for the A2's using yard tracks 9+10. As for the Airos, theyll be serviced in the old high speed building.

Avelia Liberty Test train is pulling forward out of its spot at the Penn Coach Yard at 8:14PM

I may have spotted Avelia Liberty leaving the yard at 8:20PM. Waiting for appearance over the Schuylkill.

JuniusLivonius wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2024 7:22 pm I may have spotted Avelia Liberty leaving the yard at 8:20PM. Waiting for appearance over the Schuylkill.

Here it comes. Parked on the Schuylkill bridge 9:04PM.

Edit: finally on the move east at 9:19PM right behind #80

Here is the radio and media roundup... lots to backfill...


Night 7/18 - morning 7/19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM_tlcDoWYc
Acela #2173 was 2 hours late so it appears Avelia testing was started early
8:44PM - CETC-8 calling KP2022
8:54PM - KP2022 ready west


Night 7/23 - morning 7/24
I do not know what kind of train this was
10:53PM - "Test train" gets protection 2 track between County and Edison
11:28PM - Extra 827 told that they can only go to past Delco for the next round trip


Night 7/29 - morning 7/30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgR_xvDsAR4
No radio contact


Night 7/30 - morning 7/31
Given how early this was, this was likely not Avelia Liberty
7:58PM - KP2022 redirected east to track 1 through County
8:06PM - KP2022 ready to head west 1 track at County; done for the night


Night 7/31 - morning 8/1
9:31PM - CETC-7 to KP2022 (inaudible)
11:04PM - Morrisville extra reminded dispatcher that it's not making any stops (test train on track 3)
11:40PM - KP2022 to be held at Ham for track car moves; return trips to be only turned at Delco
11:40PM - "Any way you can get me east of Ham otherwise you're going to ruin this test run" ???


Night 8/1 - morning 8/2
11:33PM - KP2022 to #3705: "works great" "Gotta continue to prove it" "We have 84,000 miles on it"
11:37PM - "we'll be here tomorrow"


Night 8/2 - morning 8/3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avAo4cdavqY
9:31PM - CETC-7 to KP2022 "do not proceed east?" (barely audible)
9:34PM - CETC-8 to #3883: "a couple more minutes, some activity going on up ahead"
9:35PM - KP2022 releasing protection 4 track CP Clark to Ham
9:35PM - KP2022 asked if stopping and turning at Delco or County - given all signals to County
9:45PM - KP2022 OK to accept signal at County; reminded of absolute block 3 track Lincoln to Ham
12:07AM - CETC-7 to KP2022: "Done for the night. Back to Philly? ... OK west"

Maybe, just maybe, a set will be available by January to give Joe a "Farewell to Washington" ride home.

I'd like to think that the Secret Service would be amenable to letting Joe, a Former President, have this farewell, but they probably would insist that the set be Diesel locomotive hauled. Perhaps rallies could be held along the route in Baltimore and Philadelphia, before doubling back to Wilmington.

It would be a nice gesture to a "career politician" who attained the ultimate prize - and somehow knew it was time to step down.

Avelia Liberty slipped out of Penn Coach Yard just as I went to look at 7:58PM. Got lucky and saw it in the static image for the traffic camera. It crossed over the Schuylkill at 8:06PM without stopping.

KP2022 / Avelia Liberty is leaving Penn Coach Yard at around 8:08PM.

- 8:20PM KP2022 heading out of the yard.
- 8:30PM KP2022 stopped on Schuylkill bridge - holding for a Regional
- 8:51PM on the move east once #197 passed
- 9:06PM passed Tacony


For the first time I tried this feed: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/40934

This worked fantastically since trains have to announce when they leave the yard and where they're going. This channel (channel 54) is out of my reach most of the time unless the atmosphere feels like bouncing signals.

KP2022 / Avelia Liberty contacted CETC-5 at 8:02PM. Doing testing Holmes - Grundy tonight. Now I see why I've seen them leave to go east but they don't make radio contact in Central NJ.

In case I haven't said thanks before Junuis, thanks!

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2024 7:48 am In case I haven't said thanks before Junuis, thanks!

No problem! Just wanted to help people see high speed testing and I was hoping to already be done by now...


Re: Holmes - Grundy testing 8/13

amtraktrains.com Acela150 wrote: They're doing cant deficiency testing in the curves at Torresdale.

I'm hearing unconfirmed rumors over on Reddit about an unveiling date for the Acela II's (this was apparently said by an Acela first class attendant). I wouldn't consider it true by any means just yet, however it is interesting if true.

Full Reddit Post is here

I had an expiring upgrade coupon, so I used it to ride first class this morning. I overheard the attendant talking to a passenger about Avelia Liberty. The train crew has been taken to see the new trains.

• Ribbon cutting is March 26, 2025. I don't know if this will be public or not, and I don't know what city it will be in.

• Avelia Liberty trainsets will be added one by one as they become available, they will not all be available right off the bat.

• The overhead luggage racks are very thin. They're considering measuring people's bags on the platform and not letting them board if their bag is too big.

• The seats will be Venture Car style. The recline will be implemented by the front of the seat moving forward, but the back will stay in place.

• At least at first, there will no longer be assigned seating. All seats will be first come first served.

• The new trains are desperately needed. There are concerns about if the current fleet can even make it to March 26.

• First class meal service will be on carts. I couldn't quite hear if the rest of the train will also get cart service