Amtrak NextGen Acela Train Experience: NYC to Boston
Amtrak's new high-speed trains – NextGen Acela – are now in service for travel trips and it's a fast and comfortable ride. How do I know? Because I rode on one of the first NextGen Acela trains from NYC to Boston.
Note: I was invited as media to this event. However, any views expressed are always 100% my own.
While being one of the select people to ride Amtrak's NextGen Acela train is exciting on it's own, there's lots more to enjoy besides the fast ride.
From the moment I stepped into the train's business class car, I could see the new interiors renovations. The train cars were bright, airy and the seats looked comfy with plush head rests and lots of leg room.
After settling into my seat, I looked over the brochure to learned about the new features including power outlets and reading lights on the seats. I also discovered the seats smoothly lean back and slide out when the side button is pushed.
I also learned about the new Cafe Acela, which has fresh, food and beverages. Of course I went to see what they had.
I was pleased with the variety of food options which included salads, sandwiches and fruit. There is also hot beverages and staff to help if you have any questions or specific needs.
After enjoying my mini meal, there was nothing else to do besides relax and watch the views. And the views were lovely. There's lots to see during the swift ride from NYC to Boston and the stop in between.
But for those who need to do more then relax, NextGen Acela has seats with tables where you can plug in and get work done, or watch a movie on your laptop or tablet.
The bathroom area is also easily accessible and surprisingly huge, so no worries about squeezing into a tight corner. It also has hands-free system for you to wash and dry your hands.
With everything designed so well, my ride was nice, easy and fast. I arrived in Boston within 4.5 hours ready to start my #VisitBoston adventure. Of course I plan on taking Amtrak's NextGen Acela when I'm ready to head back to NYC.
NextGen Acela is the all-new, premium ride from Amtrak, running between major city centers from Washington, DC, to New York to Boston and destinations in between. Designed with innovative features and amenities, customers can experience First Class and Business Class travel on America’s only high-speed rail service
First Class provides an exceptional experience with Metropolitan Lounge access, boarding made easy by the dedicated car at the front of the train, spacious seating, including solo seats, and at-seat meal service, featuring the dishes of James Beard award-winning restaurateur, Stephen Starr
In Cafe Acela, the full-service attendant will assist customers with their purchase of new, fresh items, hot favorites, snacks, and a variety of beverages to suit every need.
New to Cafe Acela is the addition of grab-and-go self-service for quick and easy checkout. Cart service will also travel the aisles on select departures with popular drinks and food, enabling customers to purchase refreshments at their seats.
The NextGen Acela fleet was assembled at Alstom’s facility in Hornell, NY by skilled Machinists Union workers, using components from over 180 suppliers across 29 states—creating approximately 15,000 U.S. jobs.*
“The NextGen Acela trains are the first high-speed trains built in America. The team at Alstom has brought nearly five decades of global experience in high-speed rail to the United States to deliver the fastest and most technologically advanced trains in the nation,” said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom.
*Calculation based on the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2020 analysis, “Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment” which estimates that $1 billion of public transportation spending creates 12,600 jobs. Total estimate adjusted for inflation and provides general scale of impact.
NextGen Acela trains are marked with a unique ‘tag’ on Amtrak.com and in the Amtrak app, making them easy to identify when booking.
You can also look for the following train numbers (subject to change):
Weekdays: Trains 2153, 2154, 2170, and 2173
Saturdays: Trains 2250 and 2251
Sundays: Trains 2248, 2258, 2259, and 2271
Learn more, visit - www.amtrak.com/nextgenacela
After enjoying my mini meal, there was nothing else to do besides relax and watch the views. And the views were lovely. There's lots to see during the swift ride from NYC to Boston and the stop in between.
But for those who need to do more then relax, NextGen Acela has seats with tables where you can plug in and get work done, or watch a movie on your laptop or tablet.
The bathroom area is also easily accessible and surprisingly huge, so no worries about squeezing into a tight corner. It also has hands-free system for you to wash and dry your hands.
With everything designed so well, my ride was nice, easy and fast. I arrived in Boston within 4.5 hours ready to start my #VisitBoston adventure. Of course I plan on taking Amtrak's NextGen Acela when I'm ready to head back to NYC.
Amtrak NextGen Acela Train
NextGen Acela is the all-new, premium ride from Amtrak, running between major city centers from Washington, DC, to New York to Boston and destinations in between. Designed with innovative features and amenities, customers can experience First Class and Business Class travel on America’s only high-speed rail service
- Free, high-speed, 5G enabled Wi-Fi, as well as individual USB ports, power outlets, and reading lights are at each seat.
- Wide, ergonomic seats have been designed to offer comfort with plenty of legroom, and a winged privacy headrest.
- A tilt system results in a smoother, quieter ride.
- More daily departures and 27% more seats per departure increase travel options for customers.
- A top speed of 160 mph, higher than today's fleet which has a top speed of 150 mph
ACELA First Class
First Class provides an exceptional experience with Metropolitan Lounge access, boarding made easy by the dedicated car at the front of the train, spacious seating, including solo seats, and at-seat meal service, featuring the dishes of James Beard award-winning restaurateur, Stephen Starr
Acela Food and Beverage
In Cafe Acela, the full-service attendant will assist customers with their purchase of new, fresh items, hot favorites, snacks, and a variety of beverages to suit every need.
New to Cafe Acela is the addition of grab-and-go self-service for quick and easy checkout. Cart service will also travel the aisles on select departures with popular drinks and food, enabling customers to purchase refreshments at their seats.
Made in America
The NextGen Acela fleet was assembled at Alstom’s facility in Hornell, NY by skilled Machinists Union workers, using components from over 180 suppliers across 29 states—creating approximately 15,000 U.S. jobs.*
“The NextGen Acela trains are the first high-speed trains built in America. The team at Alstom has brought nearly five decades of global experience in high-speed rail to the United States to deliver the fastest and most technologically advanced trains in the nation,” said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom.
*Calculation based on the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2020 analysis, “Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment” which estimates that $1 billion of public transportation spending creates 12,600 jobs. Total estimate adjusted for inflation and provides general scale of impact.
Booking Amtrak NextGen Acela Train Service
NextGen Acela trains are marked with a unique ‘tag’ on Amtrak.com and in the Amtrak app, making them easy to identify when booking.
You can also look for the following train numbers (subject to change):
Weekdays: Trains 2153, 2154, 2170, and 2173
Saturdays: Trains 2250 and 2251
Sundays: Trains 2248, 2258, 2259, and 2271
Learn more, visit - www.amtrak.com/nextgenacela
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