The fastest train in the US is about to get a serious upgrade. On August 28, 2025, Amtrak’s first NextGen Acela Trains will officially begin service in the Northeast Corridor, marking the first major overhaul of the fast route since Acela debuted in 2000.
The new train runs from Washington, D.C. to Boston, stopping in Philadelphia, New York, New Haven and Providence, and is also found in cities on the East Coast along the 457-mile track. For travelers, it means a slightly faster, significantly wider, more technical ride, and a more attractive ride than flying.
According to the National Railway Company, the new high-speed train will reach a top speed of 160 mph. (Currently, it takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes to arrive in New York from DC in Acela. Amtrak’s 2040 plan could mean that new train trips could be up to 20 minutes faster.) The new fleet features a “sloping system” that allows the train to navigate the curve at high speeds.
Each of the Nextgen Acela Trains has 27% more seats than its predecessor (the train cars are also larger, so more seats don’t have less space). Business and top-class car cabins (these trains and Acera in general do not have economy class) have been redesigned with larger windows, allowing riders to take better views, bright lighting and ergonomic seating with winged headrests for privacy. All seats are equipped with USB ports and power outlets, individual reading lights and free 5G compatible Wi-Fi.
The new train will feature a redesigned grab-and-go cafe car. Amtrak also takes home food and drink cart services for passengers sitting in business class. In first class, travelers will be served full meals and dishes prepared by James Beard Award-winning chef Stephen Starr.
The deployment of Amtrak’s NextGen products (originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed due to production issues) begins with five new full train sets (locomotives and pulling cars). With more new train sets added, Amtrak plans to expand its schedule with additional departures and more express services (i.e. fewer outages).
For business travelers, the upgrade can be converted to a more productive and comfortable trip between meetings. For leisure travelers, this is the chance to leave the airport shuffle behind and arrive directly in the city centre without considering security lines and waiting for checked luggage.
Tickets for NextGen Acela will be available in the next few weeks on Amtrak’s website and app, as well as on the station kiosks. Amtrak has not released details on pricing for the new service regarding how to identify and select NextGen Acelas during the booking process. He said he would provide additional information prior to the release date.
It’s not the only place Amtrak is trying to upgrade its current fleet. In 2026, the railroad company plans to launch new Amtrak Aro on certain itineraries, including the Amtrak Cascade, which travels from Vancouver, Canada to Eugene, Oregon, and the northeastern region route from Boston to Virginia Beach, Virginia. The train will feature many of the same enhancements as the Acera, including panoramic windows and more spacious seats, making it the first hybrid electric drive for the company to reach a maximum speed of 125 mph.
