As announced, Alstom has officially launched its Avelia Liberty trainsets on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, introducing the fastest train model currently in operation in the United States.
The new fleet replaces the earlier Acela Express sets and consists of 28 trainsets built in the United States. The project’s production was centralized in Hornell, New York, at a site upgraded with over USD 87 million (approximately EUR 80.5 million) in investment. The trains incorporate 95% U.S.-sourced components, with a reported supply chain spanning 180 companies across 29 states and an estimated 15,000 jobs involved in the supply and production chain.
Amtrak’s order is part of a broader plan to expand its capacity on the Northeast Corridor. With 27% more seating compared to the original Acela units, the new trainsets are expected to allow for a 40% increase in the number of Acela services operated.
The trains are based on Alstom’s Avelia Liberty platform, a variant adapted for U.S. regulations and infrastructure and incorporate active tilting technology (Tiltronix) aimed at maintaining stability and higher curve speeds on the existing corridor. The articulated design places bogies beneath gangways between cars, forming a unified trainset structure.
Energy-saving elements include regenerative braking, traction efficiency improvements, and eco-driving technologies. Each train is equipped with approximately 100 onboard sensors to support predictive maintenance. Alstom is providing maintenance support through a 15-year Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement, with an option to extend for another 15 years.
Passenger areas feature larger windows, updated seating layouts with winged headrests, and increased personal space. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, USB charging, power outlets, and redesigned café areas.
This rollout follows Alstom’s broader presence in U.S. rolling stock manufacturing, where the company has supplied over 12,000 vehicles across multiple cities and operates as a private service provider for several transit agencies.
