WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s new Acela trainsets have finally cleared a computer-modeling hurdle that has stalled testing, the New York Times reports.
The trains passed computer modeling tests on the 14th try and have been cleared by the Federal Railroad Administration to begin test runs between Washington and Boston, Amtrak officials told the Times on Friday. Modeling showing the equipment can operate safely is required before the FRA will allow the trains to operate. The company told the Times in a statement that testing on the Northeast Corridor will be “the next step in the safety certification that leads toward launching revenue service.”
The new Acelas were supposed to have been in service in 2021, but have been plagued by difficulty in adapting the European designs on which they are based to the aging, curving Northeast Corridor infrastructure, a far cry from the purpose-built high-speed routes in most of the world. Along with the modeling issue, the trains have so far dealt with a problem with pantographs that lost contact with catenary wire; a need to increase weight over some wheels to improve “behavior on the curves of the NEC,” and an issue with wheelsets found through the computer modeling. [A more detailed summary of the issues to date can be found in “Top 10 News Wire stories of 2023, No. 8: New Acela delays,” Dec. 24, 2023].
The delays have forced Amtrak to keep the first-generation Acelas in service past their intended life at an increasing cost, and despite issues of parts availability: four trainsets are being cannibalized for parts to keep the others running.
The Times report says that train builder Alstom at one point told Amtrak that computer modeling showed the new trains could not run safely on the Northeast Corridor, but the company said it believed it could resolve the problems. Amtrak officials said they gave Alstom the go-ahead to continue developing the trains because they felt they had no choice.
Amtrak’s new Acelas webpage says the equipment is scheduled to enter service this year; an Amtrak inspector general report said the company is aiming for October.
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