"Recycling" of Acela trainsets is probably a matter of economics. Currently, these Acela trainsets are under a maintenance contract with ALSTOM; I am guessing that until AMTRAK divests itself of those units, ALSTOM must maintain them. Under such terms, these older train sets would have to be recycled for parts and material, UNLESS there is another company willing to modify this soon-to-be obsolete train technology, and willing to buy them as-is.
“Things of quality have no fear of time.”
I'm going to put in for a power car and a couple of 'coaches' for a vacation house, having had to miss out on the Constitution-Liner and previously the Turboliner auctions.
Artificial reefs. Chicken coops. The faster they’re gone the better.
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
So far it appears, surprising as it may seem, that they will be retired rather than being put in 'alternative' service (as the French have famously done with their original TGV sets).
Suspect that this is partially due (perhaps largely due) to the level of complexity and proprietary part expense involved in keeping the somewhat-overripe-tomato equipment in running order even at lower peak speeds or less-demanding duty cycles. These share considerable 'tech' with the HHP-8s, which have acquired quite a reputation as roundhouse queens even though they 'go like no other' when kept in even reasonable repair.
When the Avelia Liberty sets arrive in 2021, what will Amtrak do with the Acela's?
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.