Amtrak makes triumphant high-speed debut

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Nov 17, 2000

ABOARD THE ACELA EXPRESS (AP) -- High-speed rail travel in the United States debuted Thursday with the maiden run of the sleek Acela Express, which set an Amtrak-record 150 mph during the New York-to- Boston leg of a trip that began in Washington.

A full load of VIPs nibbled on salmon, filet mignon, proscuitto and caviar hors d'oeuvres as they made history aboard the train that Amtrak and high-speed rail advocates hope represents the future of U.S. ground travel.

"Today's inaugural run symbolizes the beginning of a new era of American transportation," Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater said at a kickoff ceremony in Washington.

Regular service on the train begins Dec. 11 in the Northeast. Rail enthusiasts hope favorable reviews will boost demand elsewhere in the country for high-speed trains. One line has been proposed for Oklahoma, though it would require much work to make the lines capable of supporting high-speed service.

Amtrak, which has received $23 billion in federal operating subsidies since its inception in 1971, is under orders from Congress to become financially self-sufficient by 2003. High-speed rail plays prominently in its survival plans.

Amtrak wants its bullet train to compete with airline shuttles popular with Northeast business travelers. Acela Express will cut about a half-hour off the current Metroliner train service between Washington and New York and about 45 minutes from the New York-to- Boston trip. A one-way coach ticket between Washington and New York will be $143, compared with $122 for the Metroliner. Travel between New York and Boston will cost $120, compared with $57 on conventional Amtrak trains, which will continue to run in the Northeast.

For the 300 passengers invited for the inaugural run from Washington, the day began with breakfast inside a stately restaurant in Union Station that once served as a VIP suite for presidents and other dignitaries preparing to ride the great trains of America's past.

"We gather in the same place this morning to prepare to ride the great train of the future, Acela," said John Robert Smith, the mayor of Meridian, Miss., and member of Amtrak's governing board.

Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, Amtrak's chairman, christened the train by shattering a bottle of California champagne on Acela's tapered nose.

Passengers remarked about the spacious restrooms, overhead luggage bins, oversized windows and brightly colored blue-and-purple seats. The cafe car includes bar stools and serves beer on tap.

Acela Express pulled out of Washington just before 10 a.m. It arrived at New York's Penn Station two hours and 26 minutes later -- two minutes ahead of schedule.

"We deliver!" Thompson said emphatically to the crowd gathered to welcome the train.

Eighth-grader Alicia Garrison was among 11 students from J.R. Masterman school in Philadelphia taking the free ride from Washington to New York as a reward for perfect attendance record this year. She gave the train a grade of "pretty cool."

The train got a rave review from sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who hopped aboard briefly in New York to say hello to Michael Dukakis, the former Massachusetts governor who is now Amtrak's vice chairman.

"I think it's a very sexy train," she said. "Maybe you can walk around and find a partner here. Those of you who don't have partners..."

"...find them on Acela," Dukakis said.