4 weeks ago
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- We're one year closer to the 2023 rollout of Amtrak's new Acela.
- The new trains will have more seats, speed, and comfort.
- See inside the upcoming train cars with a modernized cafe and seats made with recycled leather.
In anticipation of the smoother and faster trains, let's take a closer look at the interior, which will appeal to Amtrak riders who are tired of the old cars lined with grey and blue seats.
Source: Amtrak
The next-generation trains are a long time coming: the current Acela trains have been in operation since 2000, and it's been six years since Amtrak announced its plans to refresh the aging stock.
Source: Amtrak
The new trains will each have 378 seats …
… a 25% increase from the 304 seats on the current models, Benji Stawski of the Points Guy reported.
Source: The Points Guy
Inside, the swanky new cars will look more modern than any Amtrak train currently in service.
Small details like the digital screens …
The cafe car will receive a complete much-needed refresh.
Say hello to a sleeker cafe with a digital menu, hip rests, bar-style counters, and grab-and-go food options ...
... which looks nothing like the older cafe cars travelers see today.
The coach cars still maintain the classic row of seats. But unlike the previous design, the new cars will have color-coded headrests.
Business and first class will be separated by color: The latter will have red headrests, while the former will have blue.
The seats will also have tray tables of varying sizes to cater to every traveler's needs.
There's nothing more uncomfortable than shimmying out of an interior seat. To make entering and exiting the four-person seating configuration easier, the sides of the tables will have foldable extensions.
In a bid to make travel more sustainable, the seats will also be made of recycled leather …
It seems like everything is touchless in the age of COVID-19, and the new Acela will be no different.
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