Post by Roger Fisk

As I've been reposting and commenting on the various rail company tributes to America250, I recently noted the Brightline Trains private High Speed Rail entrant. But, I would certainly be remiss if I neglected to highlight Amtrak's public sector HSR entrant, And Avelia Liberty built by Alstom, is looking sharp. Despite their differences (like Americans themselves), these two trains have some surprising similarities. When it comes to performance, where should confidence rest, in veteran experience or the vigor of youth? Of course, there is the obvious generational contrast of young vs old, along with the technology-era comparison of steam vs diesel, all of which was predated by steam vs electric represented in these two specimen locos, - kind of a full circle moment? Both engines were built in New York State, although separated by nearly a century. The Union Pacific Railroad #UP4014 last operated in NY in 1941 (85 years ago). The Amtrak #LibertyAvelia was built with tilt-wheel technology to straighten the curves of the NEC for business travelers above 160 mph. Despite having a 21st century design, the Avelia Liberty on its way to DC passes through the Baltimore Potomac Tunnel completed in 1873, less than a decade after the civil war ended. (Note: the BPT is being renovated and renamed the Frederick Douglass Tunnel in 2032). In contrast, the #UP4014, was designed to carry HEAVY machinery loads over the Wasatch Range of the mountain-west for military use in the Pacific theatre of WWII. And somehow, despite the age difference, both trains also still lead in at least one superlative category (fastest US HSR train; most powerful freight locomotive ever (1.2 million horse-power); & heaviest. I love the caption, "a century of rail innovation captured in one single image." Nice one Amtrak!