Early work is underway on the two-mile Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Baltimore. It’s the largest Amtrak-led infrastructure investment in the railroad’s history, and it’s the most consequential piece of the Northeast Corridor’s future outside of New York. Amtrak’s...
High-tech, energy-efficient machines
High-speed trains are lightweight and aero-dynamic, able to accelerate quickly. Inside, the ride is quiet and smooth.
The smallest trains have twice the seats as the largest planes, but offer greater comfort and legroom.
In many countries, high-speed trains operate on both high-speed and conventional track in a single journey.
An ICE-3 train on the Frankfurt – Cologne high-speed line.
Features of high-speed trains
All of these features are a good idea, no matter what the speed.
They are all required to go very fast.
Onboard signalling
High-speed trains train movements are authorized from a single dispatch center covering a large region.
Signals are shown in the cab to ensure that instructions are not missed at high speeds.
Automatic train control
Automatic Train Control will stop the train quickly in an emergency.
Aerodynamics
Streamlined shapes, tapered noses, and smooth surfaces minimize drag, allowing trains to reach higher speeds with less energy.
Electrification
Moving the power source off the transit is essential to keeping the train light enough to sustain high-speeds.
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