Barre-Built High-Speed Rail Cars Get Sneak Preview In Nation's Capital

June 29, 1999

[AP wire copy from event also available]

WASHINGTON (June 29) -- The new Acela Express high-speed rail train, featuring passenger cars assembled in Barre, was toasted and toured in Washington today, months before regular service is scheduled to begin in the Northeast Rail Corridor.

Senator Patrick Leahy, one of Congress's leading champions of Amtrak and of its high-speed rail project, cut the ribbon for the new Washington maintenance facility dedicated today for the high-speed trains, joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater and others. The maintenance shop is one of three the Acela Express trains will use when they begin full-fledged service late this year between Washington and Boston. The facility will be used until then for testing and final preparation of the rail cars.

The passenger cars for the Acela Express trains are being assembled at the Bombardier plant in Barre, and the locomotives, in Plattsburgh.

"If today is any indication, these trains are going to get rave reviews," said Leahy after touring the passenger cars. "Vermont quality is stamped all over this equipment."

Leahy, often called the "cyber senator" for his enthusiasm and work on Internet issues, said he was particularly pleased to find that each seat in business class will come equipped with electrical outlets for laptop computers and CD players.