WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak suspended most of its high-speed Acela Express service in the Northeast Corridor yesterday (August 13) after cracks were found in some equipment, the New York Times reported.
The problem with the Acela trains, which can travel up to 150 miles an hour, was yet another setback for Amtrak, which has endured a summer of financial woes, government skepticism and a derailment.
Amtrak said it discovered cracks in shock absorbers beneath three locomotives during routine inspections on Monday night. Consequently, those three trains were pulled from service, and inspections were being conducted on a dozen other Acela Express trains today.
Amtrak said some Acela Express trains were put into service today “under an enhanced inspection regime” after their locomotives were examined and found to be free of the shock-absorber defect.
Acela Express operates between Washington, New York City and Boston.
Other Amtrak trains that serve the Corridor, including Acela Regional and Metroliner service, were not affected by the service suspension, and railroad officials promised to use as much equipment as possible to minimize disruptions.
Amtrak officials said passengers holding tickets for Acela Express would be credited for the fare difference if they switched to Acela Regional or Metroliner service.
Details of the Acela Express suspension can be read on the railroad’s Web site, www.amtrak.com. Travelers were advised to check the Web site for train departures as well.
Amtrak officials have said that Acela Express, introduced two years ago to considerable fanfare, has helped to attract train passengers. The officials point out that Amtrak carries more passengers between Washington and New York each day than the combined totals of air shuttles operated by US Airways and Delta.
But Acela Express has been bedeviled by equipment problems, and its trains have had trouble getting to their destinations on time, notwithstanding their 150 m.p.h. capability. Congress recently voted a $205 million supplemental appropriation just to keep Amtrak running until Oct. 1, when the new fiscal year begins, but the level of federal aid for next year is not certain.