NEW YORK — Amtrak is now offering tickets on Northeast Corridor trains that will debut the long-delayed NextGen Acela trainsets, and has announced which trains will feature the equipment, as well as highlighting those trains with a “NextGen” icon on the booking portion of its website and app.
The company announced that addition to its booking process in a press release today (Aug. 19, 2025), and also informed regular customers by email. It said these trains are scheduled to initially feature the new equipment:
Weekdays: Trains 2153, 2154, 2170, and 2173
Saturdays: Trains 2250 and 2251
Sundays: Trains 2248, 2258, 2259, and 2271
The new Acelas are scheduled to debut on Aug. 28; Amtrak had previously announced that date but had not indicated which trains would feature the new equipment [see “Amtrak NextGen Acela debut …,” Trains.com, Aug. 7, 2025]. Amtrak cautions in a disclaimer that substitution of trains might be necessary “from time to time,” and that such substitutions are permitted without notice under its terms and conditions.
Amtrak ordered 28 trainsets of the new Acela equipment from Alstom in 2016, and were originally projected to enter service in 2021. A series of delays — some attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, others related to testing issues, and others that remain unexplained — have steadily pushed back the debut and forced Amtrak to extend use of the original Acela equipment beyond its intended lifespan.
Way to go…
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
I recently took the Acela from Washington to Boston first class. The first class cars are 2 by 1 seating. Separated by closed doors from regular class cars. They have hot meals and drinks (alcohol too) included in the fare, Two attendants to take care of passengers needs. The two attendants obviously loved there jobs, very personable and more than happy to get you what ever you like. Definitely worth the extra fare in my eyes, all may not agree though. Most importantly they made the entire trip on time with no complications
$521 First Class from NYP to WAS. Prices have gone up on everything. Nothing is cheap any more.
Question (as I haven’t ridden Amtrak in the northeast in many years). What does First Class include on Amtrak? What exactly do you get for $521? I would imagine lounge access at NYP, a free drink, and a bigger seat in a quieter car. Anything else? Is a meal included? Please advise.
100% refund before departure.
No change or cancel fees.
Single, double and conference table seating
At-seat service with complimentary meals and beverages
Station lounge access and priority boarding (at select stations)
Member Perk: Earn 2 Guest Rewards points per $1 and a 50% bonus
I took first class earlier this year. There is an attendant who will bring you a meal and complimentary drinks–alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Seating is 2-1 rather than 2-2. Probably not worth the money if paying cash in my opinion, but I had a bunch of extra Amtrak points and did enjoy the experience.