Information AboutMetroliner |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT METROLINER | |
| amtrak routes | |
| former amtrak routes | |
| named passenger trains of the united states | |
| 1969 introductions | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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Metroliner is a premium express train service run by Amtrak between Washington, DC and New York City in the United States . The train offers reserved business class and first class seating. A trip between New York's Pennsylvania Station and Washington, DC's Union Station takes 3 hours. For the most part, Amtrak has replaced Metroliner service with Acela Express trainsets. HISTORY The High Speed Ground Transportation Act Of 1965 started a U.S. Government effort to develop a high speed train for Northeast Corridor service. The U.S. Department Of Transportation worked with the Pennsylvania Railroad , Budd , General Electric and Westinghouse to develop a Multiple Unit high speed passenger train with initial service target for 1967 . After several setbacks, Metroliner service started on January 16 , 1969 , operated by Penn Central Transportation , successor to the Pennsylvania Railroad. The initial trip between New York and Washington took 2:59, 36 minutes faster than the previous best. The train consisted of six cars; 2 club cars and six snack bar coaches, full coaches weren't added until October. By April of 1969 the fastest scheduled train took 2:30 running at 125 mph. The Metroliner was wildly successful, some trains having three times as many people trying to buy tickets as there were seats. With the creation of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation in 1971 , the Metroliner trains were transferred to Amtrak. During the prolonged labor strike at Eastern Shuttle many passengers defected to the Metroliner service. CURRENT TRAIN The original electric multiple-unit trains built under the mid-1960's contracts were retired from service in the first part of the 1980's. Many of those cars were scrapped, but some have been preserved in museums. Others were converted by Amtrak into Amfleet-style coaches and lounges. Some of these cars have been converted for cab car use elsewhere on the Amtrak system. Metroliner service today now consists of AEM7 locomotives pulling conventional Amfleet I and II coaches (the design of the coaches is derived from the Metroliner design). In all but one instance, Metroliner service has been phased-out by Amtrak in favor of the high speed Acela Express trainsets. Expanded Metroliner service was initiated by Amtrak when issues developed with the Acela Express trainset braking systems. As trainsets were repaired, the number of Metroliner service trains declined to the current level. STATION STOPS As of the current (April 24, 2006) schedule, one weekday round-trip Metroliner train (2300 northbound departing Washington at 10:00 AM; 2301 southbound departing New York at 6:00 PM) makes the following station stops: ; New York EXTERNAL LINKS |