The following was copied by Corbett Price with permission. The information comes from a pamphlet distributed on the newest test train being experimented with by Amtrak, the X2000: SWEDISH X2000 HIGH-SPEED TRAIN U.S. TEST AND DEMONSTRATION PURPOSE OF TEST AND DEMONSTRATION The U.S. demonstration of the X2000 high-speed train is a joint effort among Amtrak, Swedish State Railways, the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration and ABB Traction, manufacturer of the train. Amtrak will be performing technical and performance tests of the X2000 in the Northeast Corridor through mid-January, 1993. Since the X2000 is an electric powered train, Amtrak turboliner locomotives have been modified to power the train on non-electrified routes during the testing period. Passengers will ride the X2000 in early February when it will operate in scheduled Metroliner Service. Passenger surveys will be conducted on these runs. The information obtained during the technical and passenger test periods will be used to develop specifications for Amtrak's own high-speed trains to be built in the U.S. When Amtrak begins high-speed train service in 1997, a maximum speed of 150 mph between Washington and New York/Boston is planned. SERVICE IN SWEDEN The X2000 was introduced in Sweden during September, 1990, between Stockholm and Gothenberg to attract business travelers away from the airlines. Rail travel time was reduced in that market from nearly 4 1/2 hours to under 3 hours using existing track. After the first year, there was a 20 percent increase in ridership on the route. SPEED In Sweden the X2000 reaches a maximum speed of 130mph. It has been tested in Germany at 156 mph. In the U.S. it will be tested in passenger service at a maximum of 125 mph due to certain restrictions. During performance test of the train, the X2000 will be evaluated at speeds of up to 150 mph. The advantage of the X2000 is it's ability to reduce overall trip time through the use of an active suspension system that allows higher speeds through curves than are possible with conventional train equipment. TECHNOLOGY The X2000 offers three engineering features that Amtrak will be testing - (1) Radial steering trucks that "steer" the wheels around curves, reducing wheel/rail forces and wear; (2) An active tilt system that compensates for 70 percent of the centrifugal force as it negotiates curves, allowing the train to travel through curves up to 30 percent faster than conventional cars without discomfort to passengers; (3) An alternating current propulsion system that results in improved mechanical reliability. TRAINSET The X2000 trainset being tested includes a standard consist of three coaches (51 seats each); a bistro/food service car (21 coach seats and table seating); a cab car (29 seats) and an electric locomotive. The interior configuration features "2 and 1" seating (including facing seats with tables) for a total of 203 seats. The X2000 operates push/pull, allowing the train to be controlled from either the locomotive or cab car, eliminating the need to turn the train at terminals. ON-BOARD AMENITIES During the revenue test, passengers will be able to select meals and beverages from a cart; to enjoy 3 channel at-seat audio entertainment, to use fax service (outgoing) and Railfone (r) on-board telephone service. New, upgraded food items, including entrees, will be offered for sale. SPECIAL TRAINS/EQUIPMENT DISPLAYS Amtrak is planning to operate some special trains before assigning the X2000 to scheduled service. There may be opportunities for employees to ride the train. Plans for these trips are still being formulated. Beginning in early spring, Amtrak will display the X2000 equipment at major stations between Washington and Boston. OFF-CORRIDOR DISPLAYS Several states have requested the X2000 equipment for display outside the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak would like to accommodate the requests once the Northeast Corridor tests have been completed, but there are many details which must be addressed to allow the displays to take place. TESTING THE X2000 A key to achieving three hour express service between New York and Boston involves the acquisition of 26 new high-speed trainsets. These new trains will require locomotives and cars capable of 150 mph operation. The new trains must be able to accelerate quickly and to traverse curves at high speeds. They must also contain the up-to-date amenities requested by our customers. Amtrak intends to develop a design specification this year that will satisfy these requirements. These specifications will then be put out for competitive bidding. Equipment should be ordered late this year or early next year to ensure arrival in time for the completion of the electrification project. These new trains will be manufactured in the United States. Amtrak has leased the X2000 train from the Swedish State Railways (SJ) and is testing and demonstrating it's capabilities throughout the Northeast. We hope to be able to test other high-speed trains this summer. The manufacturer of the X2000, Asea Brown Boveri (ABB Traction, Inc.) is also participating in these tests and demonstrations. ABB Traction operates a plant in Elmira Heights, New York and would build X2000 trains for Amtrak there if they are awarded a contract. As part of the testing, the train has operated at speeds up to 156 mph on the Northeast Corridor line between Trenton and New Brunswick, New Jersey. One of the unique features of the X2000 is it's ability to tilt through curves. This tilting feature allows the X2000 to operate around curves safely at speeds up to forty percent faster than normal. This feature was successfully tested in December on the Harrisburg Line nd between Philadelphia and New York. Amtrak will place the X2000 in revenue service February 1. This will allow us to sample customer acceptance of the unique features and amenities of the train. We will also test new food service concepts during this period. The train will operate in regularly scheduled Metroliner Service between Washington and new York as follows: February 1-12, Mon-Fri - Trains 112 and 223 February 15 - March 19, Mon-Fri - Trains 114 and 125 Saturdays: February 6 and 20, March 20 - Trains 108 and 125 March 22 - April 2, Mon-Fri - Trains 202 and 223 between Washington and New York April 5 - May 10, Mon-Fri - Trains 202 and 223 extended to New Haven with a Stamford stop. HIGH-SPEED RAIL FOR AMTRAK The Northeast High-Speed Rail Improvement Project (NHRIP) began in 1991. The goal of this project is to reduce travel time between New York and Boston to under three hours for Amtrak's express trains and under three hours and forty minutes for conventional service. This is about one hour less than is required for current operations. NHRIP entails two primary components: (1) rail infrastructure improvements, including electrification of the rail line between New Haven and Boston; and (2) acquisition of new high-speed passenger equipment capable of 150 mph electric operation. The total cost of the infrastructure improvements is currently projected to be $865 million while the cost of new high-speed equipment is currently projected to be $450 million. A total of $447.4 million has been appropriated for the project by Congress over the past three years. The balance of the funding will be appropriated in the coming years. The infrastructure improvements are being designed for trains to operate at speeds up to 150 mph. An Environmental Impact Statement is currently being completed by the Federal Railroad Administration. Work to install a new signal system compatible with the electrification is currently underway and is expected to be substantially completed this year. A major milestone in the project occurred April 14, 1992 when Amtrak signed a contract to design and construct the electrification system between New Haven and Boston. The contract is for $296 million and will be completed in two phases: design, which will be finished later this year, and construction, which is scheduled to begin upon completion of the environmental Impact Statement. Construction of the electrification system is expected to take three years to complete. NHRIP entails many other related infrastructure improvements including the installation of high-speed crossovers at four locations, which will allow trains to switch tracks at speeds up to 80 mph, and new concrete ties and welded rail which will be installed this summer. New high-level platforms will be installed at Route 128 and other locations. A new station will be constructed south of New Rochelle to serve Westchester County, New York. Tracks will be reconfigured through the New Haven Station to enable trains to enter and exit at speeds up to 45 mph. A bottleneck at the junction of Amtrak and Metro-North trackage in new Rochelle will be eliminated through the construction of the Shell Flyover.