Amtrak has introduced its NextGen Acela high-speed train, which is now transporting passengers between Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. The train can reach speeds of up to 160 miles per hour. This week marked the inaugural run of the new service, attracting attention from travelers eager to experience the upgraded journey.

Leo Friedman and his mother, Phyllis, traveled from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., specifically to ride the inaugural train. Friedman expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Ever since that first video came out, that Amtrak posted about nine years ago, I've been super interested and invested in this NextGen Acela."

The original Acela service, launched 25 years ago, significantly increased Amtrak's market share in the Northeast. The new fleet consists of 28 trains, each capable of accommodating approximately 80 more passengers than their predecessors. The NextGen Acela features enhanced seating, larger windows, improved Wi-Fi, and ample charging stations. Additionally, a self-serve food bar is available in the café car.

All 28 trains, which are being assembled in upstate New York, are expected to be operational by 2027. Elliot Hamlisch, Amtrak's chief commercial officer, emphasized the significance of the new trains, stating, "This train truly is the future of the high-speed rail in America. This is the most technologically-advanced train, not only in America, but in the world. So we've taken the best of what Europe has to offer and incorporated it here on our tracks."

While the new Acela trains are 10 miles per hour faster than the older models, they still do not match the speeds of high-speed trains in Europe and Asia. This limitation is partly due to the aging tracks that were laid over a century ago, which meander through various communities. However, the new trains are engineered to navigate curves more effectively, allowing for increased speeds.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked, "This is the next best step to moving us faster in the Eastern Corridor." The new Acela trains also comply with updated crashworthiness standards, designed to prevent incidents similar to the 2015 derailment in Northeast Philadelphia that resulted in eight fatalities and over 200 injuries.

The launch of the NextGen Acela coincides with the Department of Transportation's commitment of $43 million to enhance facilities at New York's Penn Station. Duffy also announced that the DOT will take direct oversight of Washington's Union Station.