just as we publish our latest World Speed Survey (p659), which finds that the USA is one of only two countries where train performance has worsened in the last decade, comes news that the launch of 240 km/h Acela Express services on the Northeast Corridor will be delayed. On September 1 Amtrak President George Warrington confirmed that the planned autumn start-up would be postponed until some time next spring.
The main reasons for the delays are late delivery of the stock, excessive wheel wear on the two sets currently being tested, and the now inevitable problems with signalling interference.
Full details in the story on our web site at www.railwaygazette.com.
