The high railway speed finally reaches the United States. Nine years after the signing of the contract in almost $ 2 billion with Amtrak (The American Public Railway Company), and several years late, Alstom put its high -speed train on Wednesday between Boston and Washington DC through New York. Proof of the importance of the event, this inaugural route took place in the presence of Sean Duffy, Secretary of State for Transportation and Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Managing Director of Alstom.
If this train cannot work more than 260 km/h due to the existing infrastructure (against 320 km/h for TGV in France, for example), it becomes “the fastest train in the United States,” welcomes the French industrialist. It must circulate through the northeast corridor, a 730 kilometers line. Keep in mind that Mestrak received a small part of the 28 trains ordered in Alstom, deliveries must be extended until 2027. Therefore, it is not a “very high speed” as we understand in France, Spain, Italy … but in a country where trains are slow, not priority against cargo and not very competitive convoys against the plane, this launch is almost historical.
More places for the most popular line in the country
“Combining advanced technology with a modern design, each of the 28 new trains offers 27% of additional places compared to Acela trains in Amtrak in the previous generation and offers a faster, higher and more comfortable service for a greater number of passengers than ever,” continues the French industrialist.
As usual, Alstom played the Local Industry Charter. “Today marks a turning point for the American railroad that attests to local innovation and our commitment to revitalize the American industry,” said Michael Keroulée, president of Alstom America. 87 million dollars were invested in the Alstom factory in Hornell, in New York.
180 suppliers in 29 US states. UU. They also participated in the project. Called Nextgen Acela by Amtrak and Avelia Liberty by Alstom, this train is actually based on the “Avelia” platform of the industrial (at the base of TGV M in France) with specificities dedicated to the requests of the rail operator.
Local industry
Above all, thanks to their number of additional seats, these trains should make it possible to absorb constant growth traffic on the line. “The purchase of Amtrak of new generation trains will allow you to circulate 40% more trains in the line,” says the manufacturer that will also provide technical support and spare parts for a period of 15 years.
If this train is faster than the previous trains provided at that time by the Canadian bomber, since that bought by Alstom does not circulate in a very high speed (LGV) line, therefore, its speed is limited to 260 km/h when it can rotate at 300 km/h. The only LGV in the project is on the side of California between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
But the project sees its delays and invoices exploiting (more than $ 100 billion). To the point that Donald Trump reviewed the federal financing of $ 4 billion. It is not really a surprise since the US President and his Minister of Transportation Sean Duffy have repeatedly shown their hostility to this infrastructure project, calling it “train to any place.”
Source: BFM TV
