HIGH SPEED RAIL FOR AMERICA! X2000 DEMONSTRATION

A new era in highspeed rail travel was inaugurated on September 4, 1990 when the first X2000 trainset began revenue operation between Stockholm and Gothenburg, Sweden. Among the highspeed rail projects around the world, the X2000 technology is unique, but potentially far-reaching. Unlike the approaches adopted in Japan and France, where new dedicated passenger lines have been built, the X2000 is designed to reduce travel time and to maximize speed over existing track. Since the greatest proportion of cost for any highspeed rail project is in the development of suitable infrastructure, by utilizing what is already in place the project cost is dramatically reduced. Particularly in the U.S. and Canada, where substantial government investment in new rail lines is highly unlikely, application of the X2000 approach could make highspeed rail service affordable in a large number of specific corridors. X2000 is an option for high speed rail for the U.S., combining advanced technology with affordability. Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, Swedish State Railways and ABB Traction Inc. are cooperating in a demonstration project that will place X2000 in passenger revenue service on the Northeast Corridor in early 1993. X2000 will be evaluated in a series of tests demonstrating its sophisticated technology. Three principal technology features make the X2000 unique: (1) Unlike conventional trains, the axles pivot independently. These "self-steering radial trucks" allow X2000 to maintain high speed in curves. (2) A computerized hydraulic system tilts each car as it travels through the curves to counterbalance centrifugal forces and give passengers a comfortable ride, and (3) The AC electric propulsion which provides more power and allows quicker acceleration with less weight. The advantages of highspeed rail are being seen as more and more attractive in North America as well. The X2000 provides a unique, low-cost, high-quality technology for the special, resource-constrained environment of the U.S. and Canada.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Reprinted article from: Electric Lines, May/June 1991
• Corporate Authors:

  National Railroad Passenger Corporation

  60 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
  Washington, DC  United States  20002
• Authors:
  • Silien, J S
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: 30 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: High speed rail; Passenger trains; Passenger transportation; Railroad rails; Tilting trains
• Identifier Terms: Amtrak; Statens Jarnvagar; U.S. Federal Railroad Administration
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail technology
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00629254
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 14 1993 12:00AM