Amtrak launches new Acela fleet between Boston and Washington, D.C.

Photo of Sofya Kholodkova in Unsplash

This Thursday, August 28, 2025, marked the beginning of a new era in rail transportation in the Northeast U.S. with the official debut of Amtrak's NextGen Acela trains, now operating between Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston, with stops in key cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wilmington, New Haven, and Providence.

Speed and capacity

These are the most relevant features of the new Amtrak NextGen trains:

• They reach a top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h), 10 mph faster than the previous fleet.
• They have a tilt system that allows you to maintain speed on winding roads without sacrificing comfort.
• Each train offers 27 more seats, representing a significant increase in capacity per trip.

Enhanced amenities

Passengers will enjoy:

• Free 5G Wi-Fi connection
• Charging ports and reading lights at each seat
• Wide, ergonomic seats with increased legroom
• Larger windows that illuminate the interior
• New dining service: Acela Café, cart service in Business Class, and à la carte dining in First Class.

Start of service and screenings

The inaugural service began today at around 5 am ET in Washington and at 6 a.m. in Boston.

Five NextGen trains are operational today, while 28 units are expected to enter service by 2027.

The entire project, costing approximately $2.4–2.5 billion, was assembled in the United States (Alstom, Hornell, NY) and supported by federal investments prior to its delay.

Rates and reservations

• Ticket prices will be structured dynamically, adjusting to demand; Amtrak promises that there will be opportunities for lower fares during off-peak times.
• Example rates (via Reddit):
  • Washington–New York: Business $498 / First $707
  • New Haven–Boston: $321
  • New Haven–Washington: $168.
• The Amtrak website and app clearly display trains labeled “NextGen,” making booking easier.

Despite its potential, travel time between Boston and Washington, as its creators point out, has not yet significantly improved due to limitations of the rail system (outdated infrastructure, curves, traffic), which would prevent it from taking full advantage of the system for now.

Amtrak and the Department of Transportation emphasize that future infrastructure improvements will reduce travel times in the coming years.

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Sources:

• CBS Boston