AmeriStarRail is again proposing high-speed rail service on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor routes, with Libertyliner service.
The rebranding idea from the Wilmington-based start-up would be in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.
The service would use 28 new Acela trainsets that are slated to go into operation and scrap the lower-speed Northeast Regional service.
AmeriStarRail wants to manage Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service and believes that private financing could be injected into a venture with Amtrak.
AmerStar stated the Libertyliner service would allow the replacement of half-century-old Amfleet passenger cars that travel at speeds of up to 125 miles an hour.
"No rail passenger service in North American railroad history has operated passenger train cars so old, so fast," an AmeriStarRail release stated.
The cars are maintained at the railroad's shops in Bear.
Amtrak is replacing its passenger car fleet. However, the new rolling stock will first go to routes outside the Northeast Corridor.
Under AmeriStarRail's plan, the Libertyliner trains would include all classes of service with top speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.
Amtrak's current Acela service comes with higher fares than the Northeast Regional trains. AmeriStarRail has claimed the pricing amounts to income discrimination for a service supported by the U.S. government.
Libertyliners would stop in Wilmington every 30 minutes between New York and Washington, DC.
In the letter to Amtrak President Roger Harris, AmeriStarRail Chief Operating Officer Scott Spencer wrote, "Given the importance of replacing the 50 year old Amfleet cars as soon as possible and providing allpassengers with the highest levels of speed, safety and service on the Northeast Corridor, we at AmeriStarRail request the opportunity to present our Libertyliner 250 partnership proposal to the Amtrak Board at the next board meeting this Thursday, July 31st. Discussion of the safety advantages of implementing our proposal to replace the Amfleet cars on the Northeast Corridor with the inauguration of the Libertyliner 250 trainsets is imperative for improving the safety of Amtrak passengers and should be given the highest priority."
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