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How does Acela compare to the premier high speed London-Scotland service?
Was it dumb not to retrofit Acela back when it still had several years before retirement?
Depends on your definition of "dumb". Amtrak probably should do some sort of interior refreshment on its equipment closer to every 10 years, at least on high traffic lines like the Acela. What is supposed to be Amtrak's top tier product shouldn't feel like its decades old. Even if they just reupholstered the seats, put in new carpet and a deep clean, thats not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things. Not to mention, this would have been around 2010? So, a refurbished interior could have been a good advertising point in the post Recession economy.
True. The sad part is that it's the best we have to offer.
Acela upholstery isn't 20 years old, it was upgraded a few years ago. It was originally fabric, whereas the current stuff is "leather."
Acelas definitely have roomier and more comfortable seats. The ride on the ECML or WCML Scotland service is overall smoother. But that would appear to be because of the apparent inability to build and maintain smooth tracks in the US. Even the ICE and X-2000 were less smooth here than in their native lands. As for comparing food service, that is not my department, since my standards are pathetically low
When we had the Washington Gathering a few years ago,we rode on Acela from Union Station to Baltimore Penn as a day trip.( most rode in Business Class, a few in First Class)
I ride the Acela between Baltimore and Washington quite a bit, though I'll admit, it's a bit pricey. But spending the money on First Class is a little over the top, even for me. I'm not sure there's even enough time on the 30 minute trip to enjoy the free drinks and meal. If you're going to ride First Class, better to go all they to Philly so you can get properly sloshed
.As to ride quality issues, first the European systems spend roughly twice as much per ton-mile on track maintenance as the US systems despite have far lower maximum axle loads, and even though Amtrak does spend at a higher rate than the freight haulers it is still somewhat low by European standards. Secondly is turnout internal geometry. That is somewhat of an unwanted stepchild in US systems but again low cost and rugged is more considered more important than smooth riding. European turnouts are geometrically simpler but mechanically more complex than the US versions and somewhat finicky so far as maintenance requirements are concerned. The simpler geometry does improve ride quality, and they do not use some of the details used in US designs that result in somewhat of a bounce even on straight through trains that are needed to ensure reliable passage of worn wheels. These details also ensure safe passage of trains even with track deficiencies that could result in derailments if they were allowed to exist in the European design turnouts.Acelas definitely have roomier and more comfortable seats. The ride on the ECML or WCML Scotland service is overall smoother. But that would appear to be because of the apparent inability to build and maintain smooth tracks in the US. Even the ICE and X-2000 were less smooth here than in their native lands. As for comparing food service, that is not my department, since my standards are pathetically low
