It makes me very happy to read these idiotic comments about how someone would never ride on Amtrak. That delights me no end. I would hate to be sitting on a train and have to listen to an idiot nearby, prattling on about how he doesn't like trains. Stay off the train if you don't like it. Makes for a much more peaceful ride for me!
I've never been on the Acela, but I have had one trip on the Eurostar. This was not long after it opened, and before there was any high speed line in the UK. Soon after exiting on he French side we got onto the LGV and you could feel yourself being pressed back into the seat as the train fan up to the full 300 km/h, about 186 MPH. However, once up to speed it didn't really feel any different to the 125 MPH trains which I'm used to
just need better track replacement, straiter wide turn tracks, new power transformer and a power source upgrade and then it could be possible to catch up with the shinkansen. rightnow the track is over 100 years old and they slow down to 80 MPG or they'll fly off the track, and the older transformer isn't good for this train.
lol with amtrak's "TRACK record" (get it :p ) theres no way i would be caught on one of these trains lol :p they can't even get 55-80m.p.h. right what makes them think they can master 150?
Maybe because outside of the NEC Amtrak depends on the freight railroads for access and track maintenance. ON the NEC Amtrak owns and operates the tracks so they are in full control. It is still the safest means of transport in the US.
@AmericanRaven19 They have running the Acela for about 11 years now, so I would suggest you don't know what you are talking about. My only complaint is that there is far too little 150 mph running on the corridor, plus high speed corridors need to be built elsewhere.
If you are going to Ride the Acela as an EVENT, DO it on a Weekend Like Saturday and Sunday, Cheapest fair time, and pay the extra for First Class. I road it form Boston to DC about once ever two weeks. On good weather from my house to R. Reagan National Avis car rental the plan won by about 30 mins. on a snowday the train would win by hours. Enjoy it
I'd love to ride the Acela sometime. I'm primarily based on the west coast though, lol. And I ain't complaining with the railway options we have out here.
Caltrain is one of the best rail system because they have there own right away, and they have the baby bullet express whare the train doesn't make lots of stop at the station so it reduce the travel time from San Jose to San Fransisco
They are talking about high speed rail like this along Norfolk Southern's Crescent line that would connect cities like Birmingham, Atlanta, Greenville and Charlotte. It would be cool seeing an amtrak acela speeding through metro Atlanta someday.
What I mean is, I will believe that it will actually be built when it gets built. I know they are planning for it, but I don't believe it will ever happen.
Nevada is Getting their high speed train calls the Desert Xpress and it will go from Victorvill C.A. to Las Vegas NV traveling exacly the same speed as this Acela, the project starts nextyear and the project are specting to be finish in 2013 and open in service in 2014
I rode the Acela yesterday and it was not the best ride I've ever had on the acela. When we went around curves there was jerking and noises and there was an annoying squeak in our car as well as the one in front of us. I don't know about any noises in other cars since I didn't go in them. When I have ridden the Acela before it seems to be smoother around the curves. Any ideas about what might be causing that problem? I was thinking it could be something with the tilting of the train.
That bombaider train itself has a design speed of 165 mph, so it probably can go that fast if all of the tracks and the infrastructure is improved then it will help a lot without slowing down too much for the curves.
Now we've got $1.2 billion to play with for Amtrak - hopefully more speed and more lines are on the way. Maybe now the states can implement some of their high speed plans.
There are active plans to extend the catenary wire along with a thrid track to Richmond VA. I hope they use the old type of catenary masts then the european ones.
In the 1930's they did try to get them to extend it to Pittsburg I hope they fisinsh that idea
@crazyshedlife In some ways we have a similar situation to that in the US, with just a short section of high speed, by modern standards, line. The big difference is that we have much more 'highish' speed line, between 100 and 125 MPH than the US does. The only place I've seen the Acela running is between Newark and Trenton, NJ. Much, but not all of the track on this section is modern, but there was that problem with concrete ties (sleepers) which were breaking up about three years ago.
because if so, the Japanese Shinkansen, the German ICE, and the French TGV would be no match, and their speeds are 320 km/h (design), 330 km/h (design), and about 578 km/h (record), respectively. 300 miles an hour is about 480 km/h...
I live in CA and voted for the High Speed Rail. I'm happy to say that the measure passed, and I hope they get started on right away, it would be awesome.
Boston to New York is the best part of the trip, from New York to Washington the Acela goes about 135 in NJ and 125 after Philadelphia, so it goes as fast as the Regional services, but fewer stops, it's also a bumpier ride and the catenary is much older than the rest of the route, as well as shared trackage with freight and commuter lines. Out in the west, Amtrak California services are a lot slower and bumpy, but I've heard a few say they're better than Regionals.
I rode the Acela from BOston to NYC. they are smooth!!! soo much better compared to Amrack's AMfleet. its bumpy when they go over diamond crossings an spurs.
about 6 an half hours. if you have muisk/laptop, BRING IT...your gonna need to occupy yourself. gets boring after awhile, but since i LOVE trains i was like taking pics left an right lol
I've been reading on other forums that the 2 middle tracks between New Haven and New Rochelle are underused as MetroNorth uses the outer two tracks. I do understand that due to the curves Acela can't run at full speed as CDot has the tilt restrictions. Can they run 125-135 mph between New Haven and Kingston R.I. or is it too curvy between those points as well?
Acela trains are fascinating to watch. Does anyone know firsthand if the ride is super smooth at high speed? I'm assuming the NEC is kept in top notch condition given the fast trains. Good video!
My uncle and I used to always go to the South Attleboro and Providence stations to watch the Acela, back when I was younger. I regret having never ridden on one though...
We'll vote to propose a high-speed rail system in November but it won't be Amtrak, and it will go between San Francisco (w00t!) and Los Angeles, I haven't heard much of it, maybe like 2 to 3 times, but I think it goes down to San Diego too. I wish I could ever ride on an Acela, I've never felt going so fast except in a plane, but it's in the sky, so you can't see anything that makes it look like it goes so fast!
Years ago, I always drove to Sacramento from San Fran with my aunt, sometimes, I'd see an Amtrak California train driving past to the left of us, it goes faster than us, but nothing compared to this (of course!) xD.
awesome, it'll be easier to get around the state, i live in sacramento too. and so instead of 8 hrs it'll be 3 or 4, but i doubt it will be voted for because of budget cuts.
Just rode the acela and im amazed at how quite and smooth it is at top speeds, although it rarely gets to top speed in the north east corridor due to cures and population center concerns.
I took the Acela from Boston to Providence and back and therefore rode in this 150 mph zone, and I have to say that it was quite rough. I've taken several other Acela trips on other parts of the line, and it is usually very smooth. Was that the case for you?
They are a common type that is seen in the US while the other type are native to Europe. The H Beam has it's own look and feel behind it compaired to the short ones in Europe.
I like those Masts, first time I ever saw one was in Strassburg PA on the Keystone Corridor. Pennsylvania should stretch the wire out from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh but I think Norfolk Southern owns the tracks and would have something to say about it!
I just took the Acela from Bos - NYC and back. I heard the conducter's radio squawking at one point when we were between MA and RI. The voice said we were going 150. Amazing something that long and heavy can go that fast. It's incredible passing through terminals along the way going that fast!
Along the high speed corridor in Mass there are a few curves, at Canton I believe. The train leans into the curves so it takes them faster than a normal train.
There are only a few grade crossings, all in eastern Connecticut. Speed through there is 80-90 mph. Most of the grade crossings have sensors in the road which are supposed to detect cars crossing and turn the signals red if a train is approaching. There was one failure (train-car collision) in Waterford CT about a year ago, never heard what the failure was.
Yes, NJT trains regularly go 90-100 mph especially between princeton junction and new brunwick stations. There is track work going on now somewhere up past new brunswick, i'll check next time i go this week where they are replacing concrete ties on a mile long section of track on the far right track going NYC bound. This creates a bottleneck effect and delays all trains 6-12 minutes.
There is a giant catenary mast waitng to start a big acident outside of Phili. The 60 foot steel tower looks like it got hit along time ago by a train or something. The base of the mast is bent like a giant perzel and it is still holding up the live wires.
It did. In 1947, I believe. About 70 people were killed when the mast ripped through a dining car a PRR Long-Distance Train that derailed due to a hot box.
September 6, 1943 -- 79 people are killed, and 117 injured when the Pennsylvania Railroad's Congressional Limited derails in Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, due to an axle bearing overheating. The accident occurred as the signalman at Frankford Junction was telephoning the next tower to stop the train.
There is another one near edison NJ. It looks like a boomerang, i wonder what happened to it, maybe something caught it? Anyone else see this one? It's on a lay-up/mantinence of way/freight ar depot yard north of new brunswick.
I found the bent catenary mast shocking how far it was beet it must have been over four feet off center. The catenary mast look liked it could have been that way for years.
They tend to be pretty solidly plugged into the ground with cables, cement footings etc. i thnk most of them were designed to stay upright moderatly damaged, or else you could have a blackout via short circuit from fallen cable.
its not the technology that is lacking in america, its the interest. when high speed rail travel is only available to about 7 states or sumthing, there isnt much interest, therefore the cost of a high speed rail system is not justified for the cost. also the people who live along the rail corridors wouldnt allow the noise, thats a big reason that the acela cant run at full speed in the mid atlantic region aka south of philly.
There is no comparison I know. I meant I do not want to crash into an unmoveable object at 300+ MPH while on a train with no seatbelts and no restraint devices.
The first TGV trainset went into service on 27 September 1981, and they've never had one accident. I just wonder how many derailments/train wrecks Amtrak has had since 1981? I know there were lots of problems with the suspension/ brakes/wheels and they have had to be pulled out of service several times. Don't get me wrong, I WANT Amtrak to succeed, but we have to get rid of a President who wants to privatize (kill) Amtrak.
not just suspension, but trains running on freight owned railroad tracks. and freight companies do not want to repair their own tracks. when there is an amtrak accident, guess who gets blamed, and who pays the lawsuits? amtrak, not the freight companies. there was a major 5-part new york times article on this several years ago.
What happened in Germany nine years ago was not related to TGV, but ICE, and its faulty wheel design. Anyway, the crash wouldn't have been so tragic if the bridge wasn't supported by columns.
In no way, by far the smoothest ride I have ever had. Almost as smooth as a plane flight. The train leans into the curves also so you can walk around no problem. Closest we'll come to a European-type train ride
According to Trains Magazine Amtrak's President, Alex Kummant, plans to extend high speed service down the atlantic coast to Florida. If his plans come to fruit we may have Acelas running all teh way to Florida in the next decade.
Their is a proposal for a high speed rail service in california. Its is able to run about 220 Miles and will travel from Los Angeles to Sacremento in about tow and a half hours.
I have been on the ride from Richmond to Phili the catenary dead ends at Washington D.C. But I have good news the state of virginia has a study out to extend it to Richmond.
It makes me very happy to read these idiotic comments about how someone would never ride on Amtrak. That delights me no end. I would hate to be sitting on a train and have to listen to an idiot nearby, prattling on about how he doesn't like trains. Stay off the train if you don't like it. Makes for a much more peaceful ride for me!
DDunker51 1 year ago
@onechester
I've never been on the Acela, but I have had one trip on the Eurostar. This was not long after it opened, and before there was any high speed line in the UK. Soon after exiting on he French side we got onto the LGV and you could feel yourself being pressed back into the seat as the train fan up to the full 300 km/h, about 186 MPH. However, once up to speed it didn't really feel any different to the 125 MPH trains which I'm used to
srfurley 1 year ago
acela needs a serious workout lesson from the japanese. shinkansen 500 series hits 200mph, cruises at 186mph.
looks outdated.
TheJohancha86 1 year ago
just need better track replacement, straiter wide turn tracks, new power transformer and a power source upgrade and then it could be possible to catch up with the shinkansen. rightnow the track is over 100 years old and they slow down to 80 MPG or they'll fly off the track, and the older transformer isn't good for this train.
sideslide23 1 year ago
Where exactly is the track old? Large portions of the Corridor have been replaced with the welded rail and concrete ties..
phantomlord54 1 year ago
lol with amtrak's "TRACK record" (get it :p ) theres no way i would be caught on one of these trains lol :p they can't even get 55-80m.p.h. right what makes them think they can master 150?
AmericanRaven19 2 years ago
Maybe because outside of the NEC Amtrak depends on the freight railroads for access and track maintenance. ON the NEC Amtrak owns and operates the tracks so they are in full control. It is still the safest means of transport in the US.
cttrainguy 1 year ago 8
@AmericanRaven19 They have running the Acela for about 11 years now, so I would suggest you don't know what you are talking about. My only complaint is that there is far too little 150 mph running on the corridor, plus high speed corridors need to be built elsewhere.
sjoldtimer 11 months ago
If you are going to Ride the Acela as an EVENT, DO it on a Weekend Like Saturday and Sunday, Cheapest fair time, and pay the extra for First Class. I road it form Boston to DC about once ever two weeks. On good weather from my house to R. Reagan National Avis car rental the plan won by about 30 mins. on a snowday the train would win by hours. Enjoy it
gwcooper01 2 years ago
I'd love to ride the Acela sometime. I'm primarily based on the west coast though, lol. And I ain't complaining with the railway options we have out here.
Timsierramist 2 years ago
Caltrain is one of the best rail system because they have there own right away, and they have the baby bullet express whare the train doesn't make lots of stop at the station so it reduce the travel time from San Jose to San Fransisco
sideslide23 1 year ago
mansfield looks nice when your going 150 loooool
zink444 2 years ago
this is just like driving in the car lol, but the girl friend isn't screaming
mard420 2 years ago 12
looooooool
zink444 2 years ago
How many yards could Bolt run before Acela overtook him? Or would it be immediate?
phantomlord54 2 years ago
They are talking about high speed rail like this along Norfolk Southern's Crescent line that would connect cities like Birmingham, Atlanta, Greenville and Charlotte. It would be cool seeing an amtrak acela speeding through metro Atlanta someday.
ItsCoreyLynxxYall 2 years ago 2
How exciting, I saw that on the drawing board and they should work on them.
sideslide23 2 years ago
Go to the Desert Xpress website, if you don't believe me. or type Desert Xpress in google search
sideslide23 2 years ago
What I mean is, I will believe that it will actually be built when it gets built. I know they are planning for it, but I don't believe it will ever happen.
smitty195 2 years ago 2
Nevada is Getting their high speed train calls the Desert Xpress and it will go from Victorvill C.A. to Las Vegas NV traveling exacly the same speed as this Acela, the project starts nextyear and the project are specting to be finish in 2013 and open in service in 2014
sideslide23 2 years ago
When standing at the station in Mansfield, MA (0:48), seeing that train pass by you is incredible. It's much crazier to watch with your own eyes.
MartyCappucci 2 years ago
I rode the Acela yesterday and it was not the best ride I've ever had on the acela. When we went around curves there was jerking and noises and there was an annoying squeak in our car as well as the one in front of us. I don't know about any noises in other cars since I didn't go in them. When I have ridden the Acela before it seems to be smoother around the curves. Any ideas about what might be causing that problem? I was thinking it could be something with the tilting of the train.
gp40mc 2 years ago
man i got to try this. i live near bos. so to penn sta is about 200.00 in first class i think. also how is the quiet car.
peteboy1113 2 years ago
In 2011 California is getting the California High Speed train put int and the project would commence in 2012
sideslide23 2 years ago
It can go to 200 MPH=, but the rules let you go to 150.
five0fan 3 years ago
Because it shares tracks with freight.
Coastergeekperson04 2 years ago
@Coastergeekperson04 And with the MBTA commuter trains that never run over 80MPH do to the double deckers, which is not built for high speed.
LiberalNoob 2 years ago
That bombaider train itself has a design speed of 165 mph, so it probably can go that fast if all of the tracks and the infrastructure is improved then it will help a lot without slowing down too much for the curves.
wawonas 3 years ago
Now we've got $1.2 billion to play with for Amtrak - hopefully more speed and more lines are on the way. Maybe now the states can implement some of their high speed plans.
cttrainguy 3 years ago
Acela Express Train is going much Faster as it can
Georgejoyrider 3 years ago
There are active plans to extend the catenary wire along with a thrid track to Richmond VA. I hope they use the old type of catenary masts then the european ones.
In the 1930's they did try to get them to extend it to Pittsburg I hope they fisinsh that idea
OceanRailroader 3 years ago
uuurrrggg and here we are in england still stuck at 125Mph! since the 1970s!
crazyshedlife 3 years ago
@crazyshedlife In some ways we have a similar situation to that in the US, with just a short section of high speed, by modern standards, line. The big difference is that we have much more 'highish' speed line, between 100 and 125 MPH than the US does. The only place I've seen the Acela running is between Newark and Trenton, NJ. Much, but not all of the track on this section is modern, but there was that problem with concrete ties (sleepers) which were breaking up about three years ago.
srfurley 1 year ago
Yes. The "Acela" goes from Washington DC to Boston, through Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and New York.
legodirectorHD 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
To sideslide23 and cttrainguy
Are you sure it's MILES an hour?
because if so, the Japanese Shinkansen, the German ICE, and the French TGV would be no match, and their speeds are 320 km/h (design), 330 km/h (design), and about 578 km/h (record), respectively. 300 miles an hour is about 480 km/h...
rodman1993 3 years ago
holy crap
dawkinsdude2019 3 years ago
this is the fastest train in the U.S. rightnow but I heard that California is getting the high speed train which will travel 300 MPH.
sideslide23 3 years ago
I believe the design speed will be 220 mph, still faster than the NEC!
cttrainguy 3 years ago
I live in CA and voted for the High Speed Rail. I'm happy to say that the measure passed, and I hope they get started on right away, it would be awesome.
SilverWolf25 3 years ago
i m german and ice 3 trains go 320 kmh :DDDD thats a cool speed watch some video
predatortheme 3 years ago 2
Now that's fast!
EverywhereWest 3 years ago
Boston to New York is the best part of the trip, from New York to Washington the Acela goes about 135 in NJ and 125 after Philadelphia, so it goes as fast as the Regional services, but fewer stops, it's also a bumpier ride and the catenary is much older than the rest of the route, as well as shared trackage with freight and commuter lines. Out in the west, Amtrak California services are a lot slower and bumpy, but I've heard a few say they're better than Regionals.
ChainChomp2 3 years ago
I rode the Acela from BOston to NYC. they are smooth!!! soo much better compared to Amrack's AMfleet. its bumpy when they go over diamond crossings an spurs.
conrailbuff 3 years ago
how long is the ride from nyc to boston?
mase5701 3 years ago
about 6 an half hours. if you have muisk/laptop, BRING IT...your gonna need to occupy yourself. gets boring after awhile, but since i LOVE trains i was like taking pics left an right lol
conrailbuff 3 years ago
6.5 hrs? doesn't sound right... buses are quicker than that.
teamwounder 3 years ago
6.5 sounds more like Boston to D.C.
ma1achite 3 years ago
New Haven to Boston is 2hrs 2min, I know it goes about 80 mph from NYC to NH
cttrainguy 3 years ago
Isn't Connecticut DOT working on the Cantenary(installing Constant Tension Catenary?) so Acela can go 135-150 from New Haven to New Rochelle?
scrat437 3 years ago
Yes they are finally just about done with it. It is the congestion not the catenary that restricts the speed from NH to New Rochelle.
cttrainguy 3 years ago
I've been reading on other forums that the 2 middle tracks between New Haven and New Rochelle are underused as MetroNorth uses the outer two tracks. I do understand that due to the curves Acela can't run at full speed as CDot has the tilt restrictions. Can they run 125-135 mph between New Haven and Kingston R.I. or is it too curvy between those points as well?
scrat437 3 years ago
Yes Acela was built 4 inches too wide so when it tilts it comes too close to the other track so the speeds are reduced and tilt is limited.
I believe the slower speed in CT is due to the many curves and bridges.
cttrainguy 2 years ago
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trainsareawaste 3 years ago
yes, the ride is super smooth at high speed. it`s so fast, you don`t feel the speed
zorro1955 3 years ago
Acela trains are fascinating to watch. Does anyone know firsthand if the ride is super smooth at high speed? I'm assuming the NEC is kept in top notch condition given the fast trains. Good video!
musthavejava 3 years ago
Too bad the Acela trains don't come to Cleveland OH. The I could ride one of them!
SeniorMinch229018 3 years ago
i have seen the acela on the outside before but i have never been inside
beefyguitar5735 3 years ago
I have always wanted to ride the acela. now seeing this video and how fast the acela goes makes me want to ride the acela more!
beefyguitar5735 3 years ago
My uncle and I used to always go to the South Attleboro and Providence stations to watch the Acela, back when I was younger. I regret having never ridden on one though...
avenged7fold332 3 years ago
i wish our amtraks in california were that fast. i think they top 80mph from orange county to san diego
georgebui101 3 years ago
Yah, i think through camp pendelton they top at 80. They always beat me when i'm driving the I5.
WatchDragon 3 years ago
heck they go on;y 60 along our line (capitol Corridor)
jasonbobbymiller 3 years ago
We'll vote to propose a high-speed rail system in November but it won't be Amtrak, and it will go between San Francisco (w00t!) and Los Angeles, I haven't heard much of it, maybe like 2 to 3 times, but I think it goes down to San Diego too. I wish I could ever ride on an Acela, I've never felt going so fast except in a plane, but it's in the sky, so you can't see anything that makes it look like it goes so fast!
ChainChomp2 3 years ago
Years ago, I always drove to Sacramento from San Fran with my aunt, sometimes, I'd see an Amtrak California train driving past to the left of us, it goes faster than us, but nothing compared to this (of course!) xD.
ChainChomp2 3 years ago
awesome, it'll be easier to get around the state, i live in sacramento too. and so instead of 8 hrs it'll be 3 or 4, but i doubt it will be voted for because of budget cuts.
jasonbobbymiller 3 years ago
Yes,we took the Acela a few times,cant get over how nice and flat the rails stay.
aerobee58 3 years ago
Just rode the acela and im amazed at how quite and smooth it is at top speeds, although it rarely gets to top speed in the north east corridor due to cures and population center concerns.
poofter9 3 years ago
I just rode that train and I think it may have hit 150mph, but it was foggy and the GPS may be slightly off. It showed 146mph in my video.
Hands007 3 years ago
i heard that Amtrak owns most of the tracks that the Acela travels on...
meanone111 3 years ago
That is correct, what it doesn't own is owned by the state of Connecticut and New York.
Smurfer2 3 years ago
thats incredible
camaroracer454 3 years ago
Wow, looks pretty fast especially with the trees so close whizzing by.
Hands007 3 years ago
The world is moving very quickly!!
meerkatmandude 3 years ago
That's havin' the ten ton hammer down!
phantomlord54 3 years ago
I took the Acela from Boston to Providence and back and therefore rode in this 150 mph zone, and I have to say that it was quite rough. I've taken several other Acela trips on other parts of the line, and it is usually very smooth. Was that the case for you?
mjsax2390 4 years ago
California is getting a bullet-train, too!!! YES!!! San Francisco to San Diego in UNDER 2.5 hours!!!
Lnickolas 4 years ago 7
Are you serious, its on the ballot?
Good luck this November! Hope it gets passed.
RonPaulfollower999 4 years ago 3
So thats what it looks like going thru the station that fast while ON the train!! ; )
ThankS!
Jeffersxxl 4 years ago
I wish i was driving that Acela..:-)
DrewryOnlineLive 4 years ago 2
doesn't everbody
CabooseColin 4 years ago
Hope that if the catenary wires do go to Richmond VA that they use the 1930's Pen Railroad type H beam Catenary masts instead of the modern ones.
OceanRailroader 4 years ago
Why? The modern ones are much less obtrusive visually, and would be easier to 'sell' to people living near the tracks.
jerseyemt 4 years ago
They are a common type that is seen in the US while the other type are native to Europe. The H Beam has it's own look and feel behind it compaired to the short ones in Europe.
OceanRailroader 3 years ago
I like those Masts, first time I ever saw one was in Strassburg PA on the Keystone Corridor. Pennsylvania should stretch the wire out from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh but I think Norfolk Southern owns the tracks and would have something to say about it!
scrat437 3 years ago
Absolutely awesome ... awesome awesome awesome!!!!!!
phantomlord54 4 years ago
choo choo
DrewryOnlineLive 4 years ago
he passed the mansfield station in massachusetts
stashdash 4 years ago
150 mph
CSXSD70M 4 years ago
Whats the top speed Acela actually goes?
BrittanyxKilla 4 years ago
I just took the Acela from Bos - NYC and back. I heard the conducter's radio squawking at one point when we were between MA and RI. The voice said we were going 150. Amazing something that long and heavy can go that fast. It's incredible passing through terminals along the way going that fast!
mfd32 4 years ago
cttrainguy, would I be correct in assuming that no top speed zone has the slightest curve to it?
phantomlord54 4 years ago
Along the high speed corridor in Mass there are a few curves, at Canton I believe. The train leans into the curves so it takes them faster than a normal train.
cttrainguy 4 years ago
Even at top speed?
phantomlord54 4 years ago
Acelas used to be restricted to 130 mph on all curves. Now there are a couple of very gentle curves where that restriction has been lifted.
mj1234321 4 years ago
I'm looking forward to riding on it someday. I take it that it couldn't do near top speed through a grade crossing, right?
phantomlord54 4 years ago
There are only a few grade crossings, all in eastern Connecticut. Speed through there is 80-90 mph. Most of the grade crossings have sensors in the road which are supposed to detect cars crossing and turn the signals red if a train is approaching. There was one failure (train-car collision) in Waterford CT about a year ago, never heard what the failure was.
cttrainguy 4 years ago
I Want to take my kid on a train ride,but how can you enjoy the view at that speed? i've never been on a train always Fly.
DEEPTHROAT36 4 years ago
There's a total of 20 miles of 150mph zone, the rest is 80-90 mph. Very easy to enjoy the view during the ride.
cttrainguy 4 years ago
Thank you
DOLLIE011 4 years ago
There are 32 miles of 150 mph track now, as I recall. There are many more miles of 110, 125, and 135 mph track as well.
mj1234321 4 years ago
Yes, NJT trains regularly go 90-100 mph especially between princeton junction and new brunwick stations. There is track work going on now somewhere up past new brunswick, i'll check next time i go this week where they are replacing concrete ties on a mile long section of track on the far right track going NYC bound. This creates a bottleneck effect and delays all trains 6-12 minutes.
ibook133 4 years ago
This Catenary mast is still standing and is waiting to come crashington
OceanRailroader 4 years ago
There is a giant catenary mast waitng to start a big acident outside of Phili. The 60 foot steel tower looks like it got hit along time ago by a train or something. The base of the mast is bent like a giant perzel and it is still holding up the live wires.
OceanRailroader 4 years ago
It did. In 1947, I believe. About 70 people were killed when the mast ripped through a dining car a PRR Long-Distance Train that derailed due to a hot box.
CNJGeep 4 years ago
September 6, 1943 -- 79 people are killed, and 117 injured when the Pennsylvania Railroad's Congressional Limited derails in Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, due to an axle bearing overheating. The accident occurred as the signalman at Frankford Junction was telephoning the next tower to stop the train.
ibook133 4 years ago
There is another one near edison NJ. It looks like a boomerang, i wonder what happened to it, maybe something caught it? Anyone else see this one? It's on a lay-up/mantinence of way/freight ar depot yard north of new brunswick.
ibook133 4 years ago
I found the bent catenary mast shocking how far it was beet it must have been over four feet off center. The catenary mast look liked it could have been that way for years.
OceanRailroader 4 years ago
They tend to be pretty solidly plugged into the ground with cables, cement footings etc. i thnk most of them were designed to stay upright moderatly damaged, or else you could have a blackout via short circuit from fallen cable.
ibook133 4 years ago
its not the technology that is lacking in america, its the interest. when high speed rail travel is only available to about 7 states or sumthing, there isnt much interest, therefore the cost of a high speed rail system is not justified for the cost. also the people who live along the rail corridors wouldnt allow the noise, thats a big reason that the acela cant run at full speed in the mid atlantic region aka south of philly.
rodmanlama 4 years ago
Great vid...the NEC is the greatest
phantomlord54 4 years ago
TGV runs at 186 mph, and has proven to be a far safer and more reliable service than Acela.
Meech430 4 years ago
I trust Amtrak also, atleast in the Corridor. Its the Frieght Companies who dont take care of there tracks as well. And the French just s**k
soundwave000 4 years ago
I trust Amtrak
Canesfan7012 4 years ago
This is not Rhode Island but acctualy Southern Mass. The station you pass by in this vid, is Mansfield.
GoofyNewf 4 years ago
There is no comparison I know. I meant I do not want to crash into an unmoveable object at 300+ MPH while on a train with no seatbelts and no restraint devices.
cttrainguy 4 years ago
And just think, the TGV just did more than 200 mph faster than that.
TNRRBEAR 5 years ago
Yeah. The difference is I feel safe on the Acela, not sure about a TGV at 380 mph! Remember what happened in Germany five years ago.
cttrainguy 5 years ago
The first TGV trainset went into service on 27 September 1981, and they've never had one accident. I just wonder how many derailments/train wrecks Amtrak has had since 1981? I know there were lots of problems with the suspension/ brakes/wheels and they have had to be pulled out of service several times. Don't get me wrong, I WANT Amtrak to succeed, but we have to get rid of a President who wants to privatize (kill) Amtrak.
TNRRBEAR 5 years ago
not just suspension, but trains running on freight owned railroad tracks. and freight companies do not want to repair their own tracks. when there is an amtrak accident, guess who gets blamed, and who pays the lawsuits? amtrak, not the freight companies. there was a major 5-part new york times article on this several years ago.
soothsayer0 3 years ago
Germany has system of ist own ICE so you cannot compare this
kokotisk 4 years ago
What happened in Germany nine years ago was not related to TGV, but ICE, and its faulty wheel design. Anyway, the crash wouldn't have been so tragic if the bridge wasn't supported by columns.
LMB222 4 years ago
Not in a regular passenger service.
LMB222 4 years ago
Looks like u r actually going full speed.
alx2925 5 years ago
I heard a loud "whoosh" sound at the end of the video..when that happened, the train shook. scary.
gowest272004 5 years ago
it looks like ur going more southbound.
alx2925 5 years ago
do you know what that clicking sound is? it happens at 6 seconds and 24 seconds in the video
BobWeaver112 5 years ago
I assume it is the catenary during transitions, like between feeder circuits or under bridges, etc.
cttrainguy 5 years ago
It might be the train going over the switches in the track.
75249 5 years ago
was is scary?
bwitchedfan1221 5 years ago
why would it be scary?
alx2925 5 years ago
because it's so fast
bwitchedfan1221 5 years ago
In no way, by far the smoothest ride I have ever had. Almost as smooth as a plane flight. The train leans into the curves also so you can walk around no problem. Closest we'll come to a European-type train ride
cttrainguy 5 years ago
OR Japanese-type train ride.
b111791 5 years ago
According to Trains Magazine Amtrak's President, Alex Kummant, plans to extend high speed service down the atlantic coast to Florida. If his plans come to fruit we may have Acelas running all teh way to Florida in the next decade.
75249 5 years ago
Their is a proposal for a high speed rail service in california. Its is able to run about 220 Miles and will travel from Los Angeles to Sacremento in about tow and a half hours.
BNSFDisneyZildjian 4 years ago
Are the lines along the coast even electrified past virginia?
ibook133 4 years ago
I have been on the ride from Richmond to Phili the catenary dead ends at Washington D.C. But I have good news the state of virginia has a study out to extend it to Richmond.
OceanRailroader 4 years ago
We really need to electrify more lines, what if there's a severe fuel shortage ya know?
ibook133 4 years ago 3
I bet that was fun
milotacsbil 5 years ago