Alstom delivers high-speed trains to the U.S.
The fastest trains in America, made in America.
Alstom doesn’t just design high-speed trains for the U.S. - we build them here, too.
In 2025, Amtrak launched a new era of high-speed rail along the Northeast Corridor with the debut of the Avelia Liberty™. These trains offer a faster, more comfortable, and more energy efficient ride than ever before.
Every one of the 28 new trainsets - made up of 252 coaches and 56 locomotives - was manufactured right here in the U.S. at our Hornell, NY facility and built by union labor. The Avelia Liberty™ is a true American effort, with parts and components sourced from a supply chain of over 180 companies across 29 states.
This new fleet offers more capacity and more frequent service than the first-generation high-speed trains, helping Amtrak meet growing demand for premium, high-speed travel between Boston and Washington, DC.
The Avelia Liberty™ is more than a new train, it’s a breakthrough in American rail innovation. Built to meet the complex demands of the Northeast Corridor and the highest U.S. safety standards, it brings world-class technology - developed from decades of experience on Europe’s high-speed networks - home to America’s busiest tracks.
Proudly Made in America. For America. By American Labor.
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1sthigh-speed train built in America
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27%more capacity than current high-speed trains in service
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1000+Alstom high-speed trains in operation globally
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95%Domestically-sourced components
"Today marks a pivotal moment for American rail as we unveil the NextGen Acela, a testament to homegrown innovation and our commitment to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing."
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Fast
Capable of reaching speeds up to 186 mph, the Avelia Liberty™ will initially operate at 160 mph, faster than any other high-speed train in America.
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Reliable
Alstom will provide comprehensive maintenance and quick spare parts delivery to maximize uptime and efficiency.
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Safe
Crash Energy Management modules can absorb shocks of more than 4.5 megajoules without compromising the operator’s cabin.
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Accessible
Level-access boarding and automatic alignment ensure compliance with ADA regulations while enhancing mobility for all.
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Roomy
With improved interior design and longer trains, the next-generation Acela provides 27% more seating than the original model.
Investing in America
Alstom is committed to American manufacturing. To bring the Avelia Liberty™ to life in the United States, we invested $87 million to modernize our production site in Hornell, New York. This commitment powered real job creation and economic impact:
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1,200+ team members in Hornell and Rochester
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15,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs across our national supply chain
Hornell isn’t just a manufacturing site—it’s a cornerstone of American rail history. The Avelia Liberty™ was built on the very same ground where skilled workers once repaired trains in the 1850s for the Erie Railroad. For generations, families in Hornell have worked side by side and across generations in these facilities, passing down skills and pride in rail craftsmanship.
At Alstom, we’re building the future of high-speed rail on the foundation of American ingenuity and tradition.
When you build high-speed trains domestically, you drive American jobs here at home. Don’t just take our word for it. The Hornell Industrial Development Agency said it best:
Building the Avelia Liberty ™ locally resulted in public and private investments worth $200+ million in the City of Hornell. This means new housing, hotels, and restaurants, and the preservation of the local hospital, all infrastructure that is critical to this community of 8,000 people who exemplify the soul of America. There’s no reason to go anyplace else. Towns like Hornell, NY, with American labor have proven they can and have built the engine that drives America forward.
Sustainability
The all-electric Avelia Liberty was designed with several energy-saving features to make this normally sustainable mode of tronsport even more so. Articulated trains reduce drag, as does the Avelia’s aerodynamic nose. The smaller number of bogies translates into lower power needs. And the regenerative brakes capture energy, feeding it back to the grid through caternary wires.
Committed to growing America’s economy
More than 60% of the value of a high-speed train flows to suppliers, so we are creating a sustainable and diverse high-speed rail supply chain in the United States. Alstom has invested more than $590 million with 180 suppliers in 29 states. Nearly 40% of this spend is with Small Business Enterprises (SBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE).
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Better for the Environment
Avelia Liberty utilises 19% fewer bogies than other trains and is built with aluminum instead of steel to reduce weight and be more aerodynamic. This, along with its articulated architecture and brake energy regeneration, results in up to 30% less energy consumption than prior high-speed trains.
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A superior travel experience
Service providers can customize interior features with items like reclining seats with ample leg room, Wi-Fi, USB outlets, reading lamps, and large tables. The onboard passenger information system will provide passengers with real-time information and content accessible from their mobile devices.
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Designed for serviceability
Alstom involves maintenance engineers and experts when designing a train. With fewer bogies and concentrated traction, there are fewer elements to service and fewer potential points of failure. The Avelia Liberty is a combination of high reliability with low maintenance costs.
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Made for everyone
The Avelia Liberty was designed with accessibility in mind. This train features level boarding, automatic doors, changing tables for parents, ADA-compliant bathrooms with touchless features, and an onboard passenger information system.
