Three generations of high speed rail together, L to R: Bombardier Acela I, Budd Metroliner (now cab car), and Alstom Acela II. Although the Budd Metroliners had issues preventing them from living out a successful career, these blunt MU sets ran at 160mph in the 1960s prior to the formation of Amtrak. Fast forward to today, and the Acela I reaches 150mph on a small portion of the NEC on the north end but mostly tops out at 135mph. The Acela II is essentially a 5th generation TGV capable of 220mph operation, but wont see that speed. I often hear people complain, "Why doesn't America have bullet trains like in Europe? That's what Amtrak should get!" Well here they come, but what has America done to invest in an infrastructure capable of this technology's potential?
