(United Press International circulated the following article on May 10.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Experts investigating Amtrak’s high-speed Acela trains have concluded metal fatigue caused cracks in the brake spokes.
However, experts had not decided whether poor design or failure to meet specifications led to the cracks that halted Acela service last month, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Munich-based Knorr-Bremse AG found the brakes were not sturdy enough to withstand the curves the trains took in the Northeastern United States.
The German company supplied the brakes to the consortium of Bombardier Inc. of Montreal and Alstom SA of France, which Amtrak President David Gunn criticized for failing to keep an adequate supply of parts.
Bombardier said it could not anticipate the brakes would last for just half of their expected life.
A U.S. House subcommittee on railroads has scheduled a hearing on the brake problems that have idled all 20 Acela trains.