The choice was clear…Bombardier and Alstom – two

names synonymous with innovation,performance, reliability and superiorhigh-speed rail expertise – joiningforces to reshape train travel inAmerica.

Under the contract, theBombardier Alstom team was giventhe mandate to design and manufac-ture 20 trainsets – each consistingof two power cars and six coaches.

Management ServicesThe consortium also built three

maintenance facilities where all ser-

High-Speed TrainsetsUnited States

Intercity Transport

vice and inspection activities for thehigh-speed trainsets are takingplace. The consortium providesmanagement services of all mainte-nance activities for up to 10 years tomeet the demanding performancestandards of this high-speed rail service.

The Bombardier AlstomConsortium was selected onMarch 15, 1996, to build NorthAmerica’s first high-speed trainsetfor Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor(NEC). The train comprisesBombardier’s advanced tilting sys-tem and Alstom’s TGV technology

for high speed and comfort, includ-ing TGV derived traction equipmentand wheel/truck assemblies, andadvanced crashworthiness features.It also showcases Bombardier’sexpertise in stainless steel carbodymanufacturing.

The trainsets are being manu-factured and assembled inBombardier’s Barre, VT, Plattsburgh,NY and La Pocatière, Québecplants, while Alstom’s equipment isbeing produced mainly in theirHornell, NY and Medford, OR facil-ities.

SafetyWith safety the top priority,

Amtrak’s Acela Express incorporateshigh-powered braking and micro-processor controlled wheel-slideprotection along with in-car emer-gency features. In addition, eachcar features energy absorption andcrashworthiness characteristics,thus providing inherent designsecurity.

ReliabilityNo other manufacturing

consortium has put so many high-speed trainsets into operation.Leading-edge control technologyensures on-time performance andtotal reliability. Optimal propulsionprovided by advanced tractionmotors and solid-state electronics.All supported by world-class mainte-nance facilities, information networksand systems integration technology.

Speed and ComfortAmtrak’s Acela Express derives

its high-speed technology from theunsurpassed TGV, combining aero-dynamic design with lightweightstainless steel carbodies. Passengercomfort is provided by revolutionaryhigh-speed tilting technology, devel-oped by Bombardier Transportationand proven in service for over15 years. Luxurious, ergonomicallydesigned interior appointments fur-ther contribute to passengercomfort. Advanced controls ensureoptimum temperature, noise leveland lighting. All cars are fully adaptedfor physically challenged passengers.

High-Speed Trainsets

1101 Parent Street, Saint-Bruno, Québec, Canada J3V 6E6Telephone 1(450) 441-2020

www.transportation.bombardier.com

Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Canada • China • Czech Republic • Denmark • France • Germany • HungaryIndia • Italy • Mexico • Norway • Poland • Portugal • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Uganda • United Kingdom • USA

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Performance andCapacity

Operating Speed240 km/h / 150 mphMaximum Speed Design264 km/h / 165 mphStarting Tractive Force - Power Car225 kN / 49,400 lbService Braking Distance3,170 m / 10,400'Emergency Braking Distance2,695 m / 8,840'Minimum Radius of HorizontalCurve76 m / 250'Minimum Radius of Vertical Curve610 m / 2,000'Buff Load 3,500 kN / 800,000 lb

Numbers of Passengers

Seats(including Wheelchair

wheelchairs) locationsCoach car 65 1First Class car 44 1Cafe car 0 0End Coach car 65 1Total 304 5

Weight (empty)

Power Car90,750 kg / 200,000 lbCoach Car57,600 kg / 127,000 lbFirst Class Car58,500 kg / 129,000 lbCafe Car59,900 kg / 132,000 lbEnd Coach Car58,500 kg / 129,000 lb

General Data

Type of VehicleIncremental High-Speed ElectricTrainsetOwnerNational Railroad PassengerCorporation (Amtrak)Orders Dates 1996 and 1998Quantity20 high-speed trainsetsTrain Consist2 Power cars and 6 Passenger cars(3 Coach cars, 1 First Class car,1 Cafe car and 1 End Coach car)

Technical Characteristics

Propulsion System2 Power cars per trainsetContinuous 4,600 kW / 6,000 hp perPower carMotor4 asynchronous AC traction motors per Power carTraction ControlGTO-Type inverters, water cooledTransmissionFully truck (bogie) suspended gear boxand motor assemblyPower InputOverhead catenary wire 25 kV, 60 Hz;12.5 kV, 60 Hz; 11 kV, 25 HzAuxiliary PowerOne static inverter per Power car pro-viding redundant power supplyVoltage480 Vac / 3 phase / 60 Hz Low Voltage72 Vdc battery back-up on each vehicleBraking System- Power car

Blended regenerative/rheostatic dynam-ic braking supplemented by frictionbraking; cheek disc and tread brakeson each wheel; redundant wheel-slide protection; non rotating axledetection.

- Passenger CarTread brakes on each wheel and threehigh-powered discs on each axle;redundant wheel-slide protection;non rotating axle detection.

Monitoring SystemDedicated computers that control, diag-nose and monitor systems and subsys-tems for optimum safety and reliabilityCarbodyStainless steelTilting SystemComputer-controlled and hydraulicallyactivatedBogie Type (or Truck)Outboard bearing, fabricated frame Designed for high-speed stability operationCouplerFront: Tightlock with type H headRear: semi-permanent draw barSuspension- Power Car

Primary and secondary helicoil springs- Passenger Car

Primary helicoil springsSecondary air springs

Air ComfortTwo self-contained overhead mountedHVAC systems complemented withfloor heatingDoorsOutside sliding plug type, high platformboardingPassenger Services- Fully ADA compliant- Public phone booths- ADA and unisex toilet- Audio entertainment (Passenger cars)- Video entertainment (Cafe car)- Public address system- Information sign displays- Rotating seats with folding tables- Meal service (Cafe car and

First Class car)

Amtrak’s Acela Express high-speed truck –

derived from the TGV truck which was

proven at world record speed – is the most

dependable in the industry and provides a

safe and comfortable ride. It can also

operate at reduced speed on share-use

tracks similar to those on the Northeast

Corridor.

DimensionsPower Car Passenger Car

Metric Imperial Metric ImperialLength 21,219 mm 69' 7 3/8'' 26,645 mm 87' 5''Width (over side sheets) 3,175 mm 10' 5'' 3,162 mm 10' 4 1/2''Rail to Roof Height 4,318 mm 14' 2'' 4,232 mm 13' 10 5/8''Side Doorway Width N/A N/A 825 mm 32 1/2''Floor Height Above Rail 1,466 mm 57 3/4'' 1,295 mm 51''Truck Centre Distance 10,744 mm 35' 3'' 18,135 mm 59' 6''Coupler Height Above Rail 876 mm 34 1/2'' 876 mm 34 1/2''Wheel Diameter 1,016 mm 40'' 914 mm 36''Truck Wheelbase 2,845 mm 9' 4'' 3,000 mm 9' 10''Track Gauge 1,435 mm 4' 8 1/2'' 1,435 mm 4' 8 1/2''

Tilting System

22N/5lb lateral force

Compensated curvingthrough active tilt

240 km/h150 mph

with active tilt system

70N/16lb lateral force

Non compensated curving

160 km/h100 mph

without tilt system

A state-of-the-art tilting sytem with an advance

tilt command – developed by Bombardier and

based on proven trainsets in service in Canada

for over 15 years – assures full stability and

passenger comfort when negotiating curves at

the highest speeds. Microprocessors control

the tilting system allowing the cars to counter-

act lateral forces.

Overall Trainset Length202,308 mm / 663' 8 7/8''