Not very nice, the difference of body profile between the traction units and the passenger cars !
Could it be that the carriages tilt but the traction units don't ?
Alstom's new TGV powercar/ Pendolino pax car mashup called Acela 2 is on its way to the Transportation Technology Center proving ground near Pueblo, Colo facility.
It’s an Avelia Liberty, not Pendolino (nor a TGV which is the SNCF brand for french high-speed trains).
Nope. Avelia Liberty is a different product from the Avelia Pendolino. Also, TGV isn’t a train model but a train service. The double-deck high-speed trains SNCF uses in France are Avelia Duplex, also another product. Sure there is common equipment between all these (although the Liberty and Horizon power cars are of a new technical design compared to the Duplex’s, hence the shorter body due to more compact equipment), but the Avelia Liberty is too different in design and specification to be considered anything else.And what is an Avelia Liberty? TGV power cars with tilt Pendolino pax cars. Its a "mutt" but one that has proven itself.
Nope. Avelia Liberty is a different product from the Avelia Pendolino. Also, TGV isn’t a train model but a train service. The double-deck high-speed trains SNCF uses in France are Avelia Duplex, also another product. Sure there is common equipment between all these (although the Liberty and Horizon power cars are of a new technical design compared to the Duplex’s, hence the shorter body due to more compact equipment), but the Avelia Liberty is too different in design and specification to be considered anything else.
Things have names, might as well use them.
Or if we follow your logic, we might as well refer to Class 700s as Desiro UKs (as they are based on those)...
That fell out of the ugly tree and hit all the branches on the way down, didn't it? Have Alstom lost the ability to make rolling stock that doesn't look...weird?
You are right, the Avelia Liberty is what the product is called. But I will be shocked if another railroad orders this tailor made product from the Northeast Corridor. TGV power cars with Pendolino pax cars are how Amrak employees are describing it, as its the only way Alstom could meet Amtraks' operating and cost requirements. Its brilliant really, pulling from two proven products to make a product that hopefully can endure the rigors and hardships of the Northeast Corridor. As Siemens is now finding out, with the Sprinters (based on Vectrons) shutting down more and more due to the harsh cycles of accelerating,decelerating, running 135 mph, and multiple voltages.
https://twitter.com/Alstom/status/1229798241727897600
Alstom says-
"We think it's gorgeous, but we might be a little biased!"
The power cars look a bit odd, like disproportionate ducks... And even if they looked good (beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that...) they look weird because of their short length.
But that may have negative effects when going through corners while tilting. The powercars don't tilt, so there will always be a misalignment between the first/last coach and the adjacent power car. I'm guessing Alstom's engineers found out that the current design has the least negative impact on aerodynamics.Add some plastic fins/bodywork to the bottom of the powercar so at least the rear of the powercar matches up with the first carriage.
I actually like the look of the Avelia Liberty, looks kind of futuristic, in a similar way to the Wipeout game franchise!
Does anyone know if they're keeping the old Acela Express fleet? They're 20 years old, but that makes them younger than a lot of other trains Amtrak runs!
The Liberty set has gone on to commence high-speed testing out in Pueblo.
Looks pretty good on pristine test track in fine plains weather but I'm looking forward to see it perform on NEC metals on a winter's day. At least at speed it's much harder to make out that awkward front-end and trailer profile mismatch.