This Long-Awaited Amtrak Train Will Soon Offer High-Speed Rides On The East Coast

The train service on the Northeast Corridor is leaping forward a whole new level. Amtrak announced the launch of the NextGen Acela high-speed trains on August 28, 2025, linking Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., with stops in between — and in record time. The top speeds of 160 miles per hour (mph), 10 miles faster than its predecessor, mean that the U.S. officially enters the high-speed rail league according to the International Union of Railways (UIC) criteria of speeds of 250 kilometers per hour (155.3 mph) or faster. The new trains also feature an advanced tilting system, allowing them to maintain smoother rides and higher speeds through the winding curves.

Five new trains are entering service initially, with 23 more trains set to join the fleet by the end of 2027, which will represent an offer of 27% more seats than the previous capacity, as well as expanded schedules. The technology, built by Alstom (just like the famed TGV trains in France), includes more efficient locomotives.

The Acela NextGen is closing the gap between air and rail. Let's say you are in Boston, planning a day trip to visit the best museums in Washington D.C. Taking the train drops you off at the city, where you can take public transport directly to your destination —  in this example, point to point would take less than seven hours. This may not sound so fast compared to a flight of just under two hours, but when you add the additional time you need to allow at the airport for check-in and security screening, plus transfers between the airports and the city centers, it starts to inch closer. And on the train, you have the comfort of being free to walk to the onboard café, not to mention the lighter carbon footprint of train travel. Put everything together, and you have a tough competitor to the airlines.

Amtrak first announced the NextGen Acela trains in 2016, with a planned $2.45 billion contract for the high-speed trainsets from Alstom to be assembled at its facility in Hornell, New York. The trains were originally expected to enter service as early as 2021, but multiple delays occurred due to the pandemic, technical challenges, and the limitations of the infrastructure.

The nature of the Northeast Corridor presented its own challenges. The main line covers 457 miles, running through eight states and supporting around 820,000 weekday railroad trips including commuter and intercity services. Most of the aging tracks were built over 80 years ago, plus they run across densely populated areas. Amtrak's Acela trains alone serve 14 stops in 12 cities, from Boston to Washington, D.C., with stops in between including major cities like New York, Philadelphia, Providence, and Baltimore.

Despite these challenges and delays, Amtrak is rolling out the highly anticipated upgrade. Both the NextGen and the previous generation trains will be operating during the transition, so you could get either one when you book. You can reserve your seat via the mobile app, the website, or at the ticket booths in the station, but avoid a common mistake people make when traveling by train and don't assume that you can just show up and find a seat, especially because the Northeast Corridor happens to be the busiest passenger railroad in America. If you buy your ticket via the app, you can show your e-ticket onboard directly on your device, no need for a printed copy. The app also gives you alerts for platforms, schedules, and eventual delays. A little-known train hack that can transform your experience is that, when you first book, the system will assign a seat automatically, but then you can go back online or on the app and change to your favorite seat at any time before departure free of charge.

The next generation of Acela trains aren't just faster. They come with a host of features that will make your trip more comfortable. You can pick between two levels of service: business class and first class. If you want to make your trip productive, both classes offer individual reading lights, charging outlets (both USB ports and electric), and tray tables. The new trains have also upped the connectivity with free high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi. When you get peckish, you can head to the onboard Cafe Acela to pick up a snack or a fresh meal, and a beverage (including beer, wine, and spirits). The menu is surprisingly varied, from a steaming cup of coffee and a freshly baked croissant, a fruit tray, comforting mac and cheese, to a juicy Angus burger or a Mediterranean salad, just to name a few.

In first class, in addition to these features, the ticket includes priority boarding and access to the dedicated lounges at available stations, plus complimentary meal service at your seat. The lounges offer a quiet space with comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.

For another travel hack, if the only perk you crave is access to the lounges, as of August 2025 Amtrak offers the option to buy one-time entry. The single access pass costs $35 at most locations, including Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, and $50 for the one in New York Penn Station. Or you can also opt to redeem loyalty points to buy the single pass online. All aboard!