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

[liftedjeep]

First set has reached 30th Street's Powleton Yard: https://www.reddit.com/r/transit/commen ... _spotting/

This set has been in Penn Coach Yard at 30th Street Station since the middle of March. I posted photos of it way back then.

Ben

[bdawe]

I had thought the Avelia Liberty was "Tier III"?

but doing a quick google, "Tier III" seems to mean that you need dedicated RoW to operate over 125 mph, but can comingle with all tiers below 125, which...does that mean that *everything* is getting kicked off the inner track pair where speed limits exceed 125?

[WhartonAndNorthern]

I had thought the Avelia Liberty was "Tier III"?

but doing a quick google, "Tier III" seems to mean that you need dedicated RoW to operate over 125 mph, but can comingle with all tiers below 125, which...does that mean that *everything* is getting kicked off the inner track pair where speed limits exceed 125?

I believe they are indeed Tier II (possibly the last Tier II purchase ever) and that was obtained via alternate means (FRA considering crash energy management as a means to meet crash-worthiness goals). I don't think Tier III was adopted until after these were ordered.

[Matt Johnson]

I believe this perspective supports the existence of a power bus running the length of the train. I wonder if being able to run TGV style with a single pan powering both locomotives will help with higher speed running on the variable tension catenary segments.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgTZb2Dhtt ... ybeltrwcqq

[emd645e3]

It does indeed have a bus running above the coaches and will operate with one pan raised.

[Jeff Smith]

A little dated: https://www.progressiverailroading.com/ ... ies--60198

Amtrak selected Skanska to rehabilitate three maintenance facilities for the next-generation Acela high-speed rail service on the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Skanska announced today in a press release.

Under the $40 million contract, Skanska will make structural modifications and industrial equipment upgrades to three maintenance facilities built 20 years ago.
...

[Pensyfan19]

I think I heard from a friend that the set in Philly is testing today.

[Pensyfan19]

Avelia Liberty testing today on the Keystone Corridor!!! This is an unexpected surprise!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvNX4rnUk8 ... zudzjlbjbq

[bdawe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieNePiU2N1U

a video

[gokeefe]

Great to see the new equipment out there being tested. Brighter days ahead.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[JR4815D2]

Amtrak Acela II going by Overbrook Station and Narberth Station


https://youtu.be/vUVKtaH09z8

[CNJGeep]

They're on the way to Leaman and possibly Cork today. Should be at Leaman soon.

[Pensyfan19]

Anyone know why the trainset is testing on the Keystone corridor instead of the NEC? Could it be possible that these trainsets could (eventually) be used for Keystone service?

[photobug56]

Is Keystone otherwise pretty empty right now? Plus maybe Acela does not just have to be the NEC itself, but perhaps go farther west on appropriate trackage where it looks like there's a market for faster trains.

[Pensyfan19]

Is Keystone otherwise pretty empty right now? Plus maybe Acela does not just have to be the NEC itself, but perhaps go farther west on appropriate trackage where it looks like there's a market for faster trains.

Alright. Maybe they can be used for DC to Richmond service if that line is ever electrified.