A friend is spending several weeks this summer with her daughter and grandchildren in Providence, RI. They plan to take the Acela to Boston. The kids are excited at the prospect of riding on America's fastest train. What is the top speed reached by a typical Acela between Providence and Boston?
Providence to Boston is actually one of the higher speed runs on the NEC. The train hits 150 mph for a short stretch in southern Mass. The other high speed stretch is in RI, but south of Providence. The rest of the time you're clipping along at 125-135 mph, still not too shabby.
That said, I hope it's the novelty of taking Acela that's got them excited, because for that short trip, it's not really any faster to take Acela (roughly 5 minutes), and it's a lot more expensive than the regular regionals (about twice as expensive).
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
I did a comparison about 2 years ago with the Acela and Regional Service on a trip from Philly to DC, down on the Acela, return on the Regional Service (a toaster and Amfleet coaches). On this run the time wasn't that much different, but there was quite a difference in ride quality. The Acela was much smoother, but there was a small surging sensation, small enough my wife didn't notice it, but I did.
The fare difference stated above is correct, but you need to recall that the Acela does not have Coach Class at all. Only Business and First Class. Even Business Class on The Regional Service is less expensive than the Acela.
And yes, my main reason was "bragging rights." I wanted to say that I rode the fastest train in North America. Plus the curiosity as to the difference between the services.
I've taken Acela both ways from New London and going North is a lot more fun! New Haven to NYC is about the slowest stretch on the NEC.
I agree about the ride quality, though. It's a very smooth ride, almost like gliding.
Generally, though, I ride the regionals, because they stop at Old Saybrook, which is both easier to get to and has free parking.
CTValleyRR wrote: Providence to Boston is actually one of the higher speed runs on the NEC. The train hits 150 mph for a short stretch in southern Mass. The other high speed stretch is in RI, but south of Providence. The rest of the time you're clipping along at 125-135 mph, still not too shabby.
What is the maximum speed attained by a regional train between Providence and Boston?
You bet, an "HHP8" or pair of "Toasters" has no problem breaking 100. Even before the electric lines were complete, the F40PH made 110.
The MBTA Boston-Providence service runs at 80 mph. A thrill, moving north on the MBTA at 80mph and have an Acela "fleeted" past you northbound on the southbound track at 150mph! Your moving 80 and it's passing you at 70 miles an hour.
To CTValleyRR, Does the photo below look familiar? I took the photos on the Valley Railroad's "Your Hand On Throttle" web page.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
DMUinCT wrote: You bet, an "HHP8" or pair of "Toasters" has no problem breaking 100. Even before the electric lines were complete, the F40PH made 110. The MBTA Boston-Providence service runs at 80 mph. A thrill, moving north on the MBTA at 80mph and have an Acela "fleeted" past you northbound on the southbound track at 150mph! Your moving 80 and it's passing you at 70 miles an hour.
That would be cool! I've never experienced that. Makes me want to be like Charlie in the old song and ride the MTA (now MBTA) forever, just so I can see Acela whipping by.
My kids love the experience of standing on the platform in the Old Saybrook station and having Acela tear through at 100 mph!
DMUinCT wrote: To CTValleyRR, Does the photo below look familiar? I took the photos on the Valley Railroad's "Your Hand On Throttle" web page.
Sure does -- one of my family's favorite spots, as you've probably guessed ,although my screen name comes from the fact that my HO Scale layout models what the Valley RR could have been, given other circumstances. In my fictional world, the Hurricane of '38 destroyed the tracks between Old Saybrook and New Haven, sending all the shoreline traffic up the Valley RR to Middletown / Hartford and then back down to New Haven.
Unfortunately, the budget doesn't have a spare $500 in it at the moment, or I'd be right there with you!
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