Representing BLET at the inaugural run, from left: Vince Verna, VP & NLR; Mark Wallace, National President; and Gary Best, First Vice President.
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BLET locomotive engineer Earl Braxton, a member of BLET Division 482, was at the throttle as Amtrak debuted its NextGen Acela trains on the Northeast Corridor on Wednesday, August 27. Also on board were Amtrak President Roger Harris and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. A number of BLET officers made the historic and long-awaited trip including National President Mark Wallace, First Vice President Gary Best, Vice President and National Legislative Representative Vince Verna, and District of Columbia Legislative Board Chairman Herbert Harris.
The BLET officers used the opportunity to meet with Amtrak managers and government leaders to informally discuss issues of importance to BLET members.
The NextGen Acela trains operates at speeds of up to 160 mph, making it the fastest train in the U.S.
To see a gallery of photo highlights from the Acela launch, click here.