X2000 at Boston South Station, 1993.
Color photograph showing the X2000 demonstration train at Boston South Station while in revenue service in January, 1993.
- Photograph Details
-
- Date Archived:
- May 2, 2011
- Geography:
- Northeast
- Decade:
- 1990s
- Data Format:
- Image
- Date Created:
- January 7, 1993
- Download the full-sized version of this photo
As Amtrak explored the development of high-speed rail in the early 1990s, it leased two European high-speed trainsets for testing: the Swedish X2000 and the German Inter City Express (ICE). Both trainsets were used in revenue service on the southern portion of the Northeast Corridor in 1993. The equipment was also put on display in cities across the country. Amtrak recorded customer and employee feedback to help in developing specifications for its own high-speed equipment.
Designed and built by Asea Brown Boveri, Inc. for the Swedish State Railways, the X2000 was tested by Amtrak because it could travel at higher speeds than conventional trains on existing main line track; unlike contemporary French and Japanese high-speed trainsets, it did not require new, dedicated tracks.
In the image above, the six car X2000 is parked at historic Boston South Station.
Photo courtesy of Dave Warner.
