By M.T. Burkhart
BOSTON — Amtrak’s next-generation Acela spent several days testing in the Boston area last week, its first foray to the north end of the Northeast Corridor it will soon call home.
The first Acela “Avelia Liberty” trainset was sent to the test track in Pueblo, Colo. in February where it is undergoing high-speed FRA testing. The second set – with power cars 2102 and 2103 – made its way from the Alstom plant in Hornell, N.Y. to Philadelphia this spring. It has been testing north and south out of 30th Street on weeknights over the summer.
Photographers were out in force as the sleek train went north to Boston on Sept. 28, then returned on Oct. 2. While in Boston, it made several test runs into Rhode Island during daylight.
Amtrak has ordered 28 of the nine-car sets, which are expected to enter revenue service on the Boston to Washington Northeast Corridor next year, according to Amtrak. All sets should be in service by 2022. Additional tested is expected in the coming weeks.
