Avelia Liberty

The Avelia Liberty is a train model marketed by Alsthom and is part of the New Pendolino family.



History
On August 26, 2016, Amtrak and Alstom announced that the Avelia Liberty trainset had been chosen to replace the existing Bombardier-Alstom Acela Express trainsets on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. via New York City and Philadelphia.[1][2] The new trainsets, along with track and signaling improvements, will allow for an initial improvement in maximum regular service speed to 160 miles per hour (257 km/h) on some portions of the route, with a maximum possible speed of 186 mph (299 km/h)[3] if future investments in track and signaling upgrades are made.[1] The trains themselves are designed for a speed of 220 mph (350 km/h) if the tilting mechanism is deactivated.

Features and production
The initial formation of the new trains will have two power cars and nine passenger cars. The trains will feature articulated coaches, and an additional three passenger cars can be added if demand grows. The power cars, one at each end, include an Alstom Crash Energy Management system to help meet FRA standards while allowing a 30% reduction in train weight.[5] These trains will also have USB ports, power sockets, WiFi, accessibility features, and other conveniences.[6]

The trainsets will be equipped with an active tilt system, dubbed Tiltronix by Alstom, that will allow higher speeds on curved portions of the corridor track.[7]

U.S. assembly of the trainsets is taking place at Alstom's plants in Hornell and Rochester, New York.[7] Initial construction of car bodies and major components began at Hornell in October 2017.[8] The planned livery was also revealed that month.[9] As of February 2019, testing of the first trainset at TTCI in Pueblo, Colorado is expected to begin in September 2019, followed by testing on the Northeast Corridor that December.[10] The trains are scheduled to enter service beginning in 2021, with final delivery of all 28 trainsets to be completed in 2022, at which point Amtrak will retire the previous Acela fleet.[7]

Amtrak will acquire 28 trainsets, allowing for more frequent service on the route, including half-hourly peak service between New York City and Washington, D.C.; in addition, the new trains will have approximately one-third greater passenger capacity.[11][7] Alstom will provide long-term technical support and supply spare components and parts.[12]