Eastern US express trains back up after brake problem

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2005

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US rail operator Amtrak said high-speed train services linking east coast cities resumed after a three-month gap caused by a brake problem.

Amtrak said the first "Acela Express" trains returned to service with four departures from New York and Washington, and full services would resume in the coming months.

The 150-mile per hour (240-kilometre per hour) trains were suspended after the discovery of cracks on the spokes of brake discs on April 15.

Amtrak said the Canadian-French consortium that makes the Acela trains, Bombardier-Alstom, had designed new brakes and enough spares have now been stocked up to enable services to resume.

"The new discs will continue to be inspected as a regular part of the trains' maintenance cycle," the...