Amtrak's high speed Acela train blazes up the rails on debut run

ABOARD THE ACELA EXPRESS--High-speed rail travel in the United States debuted yesterday with the maiden run of the sleek Acela Express, which hit an Amtrak-record 150 mph during the New York-to-Boston leg of a trip that began in Washington.

VIPs nibbled on salmon, filet mignon, prosciutto and caviar hors d'oeuvres aboard the train that Amtrak and high-speed rail advocates hope represents the future of U.S. ground travel.

"Today's inaugural run symbolizes the beginning of a new era of American transportation," Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater said in Washington.

Regular service on the train begins Dec. 11. Rail enthusiasts hope favorable reviews will boost demand for high-speed trains.

Amtrak, which has received $23 billion in federal subsidies since 1971, is under orders from Congress to become self-sufficient by 2003. High-speed rail plays prominently in its survival plans.

Amtrak wants its bullet train to compete with airline shuttles popular with Northeast business travelers. Acela Express will cut about one-half hour off the current Metroliner train service between Washington and New York and about 45 minutes from the New York-to-Boston trip.

A one-way coach ticket between Washington and New York will be $143, compared with $122 for the Metroliner. Travel between New York and Boston will cost $120, compared with $57 on conventional trains, which will continue to run in the Northeast.

Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, Amtrak's chairman, christened the train by shattering a bottle of California sparkling wine on Acela's tapered nose.

Acela Express pulled out of Washington just before 10 a.m. It arrived at New York's Penn Station 2 hours, 26 minutes later--two minutes ahead of schedule.

The train received a rave review from sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who hopped aboard briefly in New York to say hello to Michael Dukakis, the former Massachusetts governor who is now Amtrak's vice chairman.

"I think it's a very sexy train," she said. "Maybe you can walk around and find a partner here. Those of you who don't have partners ... "

"... find them on Acela," Dukakis said.

The train had a date with history later in the day. At 4:18 p.m., near Kingston, R.I., Acela hit 150 mph, faster than any Amtrak train.

The train arrived in Boston--two minutes early, again--and was greeted by fireworks.

The United States has fallen decades behind other countries. Japan's Shinkansen trains regularly hit 186 mph and have reached maximum speeds of 275 mph in test runs. France's TGV trains also cruise at 186 mph.

FACTS

Acela at a glance

Speed: The trains will reach speeds of 150 mph, compared with 125 mph by the fastest conventional trains.

Technology: An advanced tilting system allows trains to take curves at higher speeds, cutting travel time but not affecting the ride for passengers.

Travel time: The Boston-New York route, which now takes a little more than four hours, will be cut by about 45 minutes. The Washington-New York route, now three hours on the Metroliner, will be cut to 2 hours, 44 minutes--with a daily nonstop train making the trip in 2 hours, 28 minutes. Acela Express will replace the all-reserved Metroliner on the Washington-New York route.

Ticket price: A one-way coach ticket between Washington and New York will be $143, compared with $122 on the Metroliner. A one-way coach ticket between Boston and New York will be $120, compared with $57 on conventional trains.

Amenities: The train has 32 conference tables spread throughout eight cars, enclosed overhead bins, video news programming, pub-style cafe cars with expanded menus, and three audio music channels with headphone outlets at each seat. First-class passengers can have meals delivered to their seats.

-- The Associated Press