7 major projects changing the face of rail travel
There are seven major rail projects that have been in development for decades that are now coming to fruition all at once. Let's take a look at how rail travel will be changing in the near future.
4. New Acela trains - Washington D.C. to Boston
Northeast Corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston highlighted.
Amtrak is currently taking delivery of new Avelia Liberty trainsets for use on the Northeast Corridor between Washington D.C. and Boston. Built by Alstom, these trains will replace the aging Acela fleet that entered service in 2000. Although capable of 220mph, the track in the Northeast Corridor has a maximum service speed of 160mph with no plans to increase to 220mph.
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By Youtube: Go inside Amtrak’s new high-speed train
5. California High Speed Rail - Los Angeles to San Francisco
This publicly funded high speed rail system is currently under construction between Los Angeles and San Francisco. This will be the first modern and purpose built high speed rail system in the United States. Operating at speeds up to 220mph, the 350 mile journey between Los Angeles and San Francisco will be under 2 hours and 40 minutes.
By California High-Speed Rail Authority - extracted from the pdf at cahighspeedrail.ca.gov, Public Domain
By California High-Speed Rail Authority - buildhsr.com, Public Domain
By California High-Speed Rail Authority - buildhsr.com, Public Domain
Youtube: California High-Speed Rail Construction Update – Summer 2022
6. The Elizabeth Line - London
This project takes us overseas to London where the Great Western Main Line and the Great Eastern Main Line have been connected to create Crossrail, now known as the Elizabeth Line. At the peak of construction, the Crossrail project was the biggest railway infrastructure project in Europe. This new 26 mile segment is a main line railroad operating underground and serving as a transit spine within Central London with 24 trains per hour in each direction. Other notable features include fully automated trains within the tunnels, platform doors for safer boarding, larger and faster railcars than the London Underground trains, and open gangway cars that allow passengers to move through the entire length of the train. When fully open, the Elizabeth line will increase central London’s rail capacity by 10 per cent and will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes of central London.
Abbey Wood Station by Geoff Henson
Interior of the new open gangway Elizabeth Line trains by Geoff Henson
Elizabeth Line concourse by Geoff Henson
More information: Building the Elizabeth Line
Youtube: Inside London’s £18BN New Railway
7. Caltrain Electrification - San Jose to San Francisco
As part of the Caltrain Modernization Program, 51 miles of track will be electrified with 25kv overhead line and Stadler KISS electric multiple unit trains will be acquired. The lighter weight Stadler EMU’s were granted an FRA waiver to operate on the same tracks as freight trains for the first time in the United States. The high performance electric trains will replace the mid 20th century diesel hauled coaches, bringing faster acceleration, no emissions, and quieter trains.
Stadler KISS railcar being delivered to Caltrain. Photo by Martijn van Exel
New catenary installed and ready for the electric EMU’s. Photo by mliu92
More information: Caltrain Electrification
Youtube: Caltrain Unveils New Electric Trains