The NextGen Acela trains, built in New York, are very fast and Buy America-compliant.
More than 60 years after the first high-speed train was launched in Japan, America has finally entered the need-for-speed market with the unveiling of Amtrak’s NextGen Acela trainset. Serving the busy Northeast Corridor, the initial high-speed train in America was launched on Thursday, August 28 traversing tracks from Washington, D.C to New York and Boston with intermediate stops along the way.
Not only is the NextGen Acela the first high-speed train to carry passengers in the United States, but it is also the first such train built right here in America at manufacturer Alstom America’s factory in Hornell, New York.
Alstom has built more than 1,000 high-speed trains throughout the world and went to great lengths to make this next-generation train in the U.S. The company invested $87 million into its Hornell plant to be able to expand its transportation manufacturing footprint in America and become Buy America compliant. Ninety-five percent of the finished product is American-made, with only the train car shells built in Italy.
This American-made train became possible after Alstom set up an extensive American supply chain of 180 suppliers in 29 states, boosting local economies nationwide. The supply chain with direct manufacturers created an estimate of more than 15,000 jobs, including more than 800 workers at Alstom’s Hornell manufacturing hub.
Nearly half of the Alstom employees in Hornell are members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union and are represented by IAM locals 2741 and 2471. The union workers built the high-speed trains and also refurbish rail cars for other major American rail projects.
Dani Simons is the Alstom America vice president for communications and public affairs, and she has seen both sides of a Buy America project, having previously worked as a top aide to former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
“We had to build the U.S. supply chain to build these trains and I think that is a very cool part of the story that we found U.S. suppliers and we were also able to convince some of our European suppliers to come over and start up operations in the United States,” said Simons. “This is the first high-speed train built in America. They call it a high-speed train, but it also features the expertise and knowledge of American workers and the expertise of the American supply chain that supports projects like this.
“Five trains went into service and there will be 28 in total that we are delivering to Amtrak. By the end of 2027, they plan to have them all in service. It’s going to increase capacity on Acela by 40%. That is a combination of each of the new trains that will carry more passengers and that the overall fleet size is increasing.”
The new NextGen Acela trains have 27 more seats per car than the old fleet and the trains are longer. The interiors contain a modern update with larger windows for panoramic views.
The new seating is ergonomically designed with more legroom and winged headrests for comfort. Onboard amenities include free high-speed Wi-Fi, individual USB ports, power outlets at every seat and personal reading lights. Food and beverage options have been updated in an enticing modernized café car.
The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provided $1.2 trillion in overall funding, became law in 2021 and is responsible for revenue dedicated to train projects like those in the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor.
The NextGen Acela trains are designed for a top speed of 187 mph but are restricted to 160 mph because of the many curves and infrastructure needs on the Northeast route.
“Amtrak will continue to make improvements with the infrastructure law in place,” said Simons. “They are making many investments, like the building of the new Frederick Douglass tunnel in Baltimore, and there is the potential to continue with these improvements.
“A lot of these projects are underway now and if you look at some of the bridge updates and repairs they are doing, train service will gradually improve. These projects are in varying stages, but they are all underway.”
Simons had viewed train transportation from a policy standpoint while she worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation but is thrilled to observe the effects from a manufacturing position.
“We are very proud of the fact that we have such a strong commitment to local manufacturing,” she said. “We are able to build good trains of rolling stock here in the United States and create good-paying jobs. A lot of those jobs are union jobs and help support the domestic supply chain.
“From the manufacturing side I can really see what that means in terms of creating 800 jobs in Hornell and see how that it has a huge impact on a community or region where you are able to do that. You see how it really does matter that there are these sources of federal funding that keep transportation and transit projects going.
“It just doesn’t matter to people in the big cities where transit tends to operate but it matters in smaller towns where people are benefiting and having good jobs because of them.”
Alstom is a French company that is now thoroughly entrenched in the American market by building passenger rail cars along with being the number-one private operator in the U.S., serving more than 20 rail and airport locations and moving millions of passengers daily.
The NextGen trains use the same technology as the new TVG M trains operating in France. Making the rail car shells in the U.S. would complete a 100% American-made process.
“We manufacture some type of body car shells for transit here, but the high-speed train car body shells have very specific requirements and there is not enough volume where it makes sense for someone to invest in making those here,” added Simons. “Hopefully, in the future there will be more desire for high-speed rail and super modern, super technology trains in the U.S. and that would be wonderful.
“Everything is possible.”