Amtrak Acela Express.

Amtrak is buying 28 Acela train sets using a $2.45bn federal loan. Credit: Michael Kurras.

US-based passenger railroad service Amtrak is planning to introduce Acela high-speed trains to the north-east corridor in 2021.

The company is buying 28 Acela train sets using a $2.45bn federal loan, reported Reuters. The introduction of high-speed trains forms a part of its plan to provide next-generation services by 2040.

Amtrak is planning to invest billions of dollars to upgrade ageing rail infrastructure to improve service.

In the long-term, the company is said to require more than $30bn to implement higher speed services.

“The introduction of high-speed trains forms a part of its plan to provide next-generation services by 2040.”

In the north-east corridor connects Washington and New York. Amtrak plans to rehabilitate the Baltimore rail tunnel at a cost of $4.5bn. It also plans to replace the Susquehanna River Bridge for $1.7bn.

Amtrak carries more than 12 million passengers annually in this corridor and spends $700m annually on maintenance.

Its upgrade plan also includes building a $13bn rail tunnel under the Hudson River, replacing the Portal North Bridge in New Jersey and refurbishing the North River Tunnel linking New Jersey to Penn Station.

Most of the upgrades are planned to reduce delays and enable the trains to run at a higher speed.

Additionally, Amtrak is overhauling tracks and network switch panels, as well as upgrading many north-east stations.

Last month, Amtrak placed an $850m order with Siemens for 75 Tier 4 locomotives and associated services.

These locomotives will be used predominantly for its long-distance train services.