New Acela Trains Offer Much-Improved WiFi

US train operator Amtrak has launched the much-anticipated new Acela fleet on its North-Eastern routes. Five trains are set to run immediately, with the remainder to be added over the next two years.

Capable of speeds of up to 160mph the new trains also boast much-improved WiFi and a USB port at every seat. In addition, they have better lighting, bigger windows and more comfortable seats. Each new train can accommodate 25% riders than their predecessors.

The improved connectivity follows a pair of RFIs issued by Amtrak last year. The company called for two Requests for information followed by a Request for Proposals, to cover the design and build of a brand new high-capacity fibre-optic cable alongside the tracks. It is not clear how much of the network has been completed. Amtrak said at the time that it will use what it learned from the RFIs, to help it consider its options to roll out better coverage on other sections of its sprawling US train network.

The new trains were built by French manufacturer Alstom at a plant in Hornell, New York, at a cost of US$2.5 billion, including maintenance. Amtrak says it will also have new trains in service on the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest next year, part of a US$7.3 billion upgrade. September will also see the reopening of the line between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. 

Amtrak will be one of the many major train operators presenting at this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference, hosted by BWCS in London.

LEO satellite-delivered broadband services to trains, onboard WiFi and trackside communications systems and will feature heavily at this year’s Traincomms Conference in London (www.Traincomms.com ).

The Main Sponsors for Traincomms 2025 are Icomera and Huber+Suhner, Westermo, Antonics, Galgus and Nomad Digital are also Sponsoring the Conference.

Xentrans, CGI, and Lantech are the Expo Sponsors

For more information on attending the 2025 Conference please contact [email protected]