Amtrak on Thursday began revenue service with its long-delayed NextGen Acela fleet, putting the first five high-speed trainsets into operation along the busy Northeast Corridor linking Washington, New York and Boston. Built by France’s Alstom under a $2.35 billion contract, the stainless-steel trainsets can reach 160 mph—about 10 mph faster than the existing Acela equipment—while offering 27% more seats, faster 5G-powered Wi-Fi, larger windows and a tilt system designed for smoother rides through curves. The railroad plans to introduce all 28 trainsets by 2027, gradually retiring the 25-year-old fleet. Amtrak says the program supported more than 1,200 U.S. manufacturing jobs across 29 states and will eventually cut travel times by “a couple of minutes” once additional track upgrades are completed. Current timetables and fares remain unchanged, but the company expects the roomier cars and improved reliability to draw more riders; Acela carried about 3 million passengers in fiscal 2024, generating $530 million in ticket revenue. NextGen Acela enters service amid financial and leadership turbulence at the federally owned carrier. Amtrak reported $3.6 billion in revenue against $8.8 billion in operating and capital expenses last fiscal year and eliminated 450 positions in May to save $100 million after the White House forced out former chief executive Stephen Gardner. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the new fleet “one great step” toward true high-speed rail in the United States, while Amtrak President Roger Harris described the trains as “state-of-the-art and American-made.”