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The ''Metroliners'' were extra-fare express trains between Washington, D.C., and New York City from 1969 to 2006. They were first operated by Penn Central Transportation, successor to the Pennsylvania Railroad, and later by Amtrak. Originally using self-powered electric multiple unit cars (later replaced by locomotive-hauled cars due to decreasing reliability and other issues) the train had reserved business-class and first-class seating. A trip between New York's Pennsylvania Station and Washington, D.C.'s Union Station took 2.5 to 3.4 hours.〔 Amtrak replaced ''Metroliner'' service with high-speed () ''Acela Express'' trainsets. ''Metroliner'' service ended on 27 October 2006. ==History== The High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965 started a U.S. Government effort to develop a high speed train for Northeast Corridor service. The U.S. Department of Transportation worked with the Pennsylvania Railroad, Budd Company, General Electric and Westinghouse to develop an electric multiple unit, high speed passenger train with initial service target for 1967. ''Metroliner'' service finally started on January 16, 1969, operated by Penn Central Transportation, successor to the Pennsylvania Railroad after its merger with the rival New York Central Railroad, using newly developed Budd Metroliner EMUs. The initial schedule was one daily train each way between Washington and New York, and a second train in each direction was soon added; a non-stop between Washington and New York was added on April 2, 1969.〔 Top speed was 120 mph for the first couple of years and 100-110 mph during the 1970s. The ''Metroliner'' was run by Penn Central until taken over by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) in 1971.〔 In 1982 Amtrak finished replacing the Budd Metroliner cars, which had developed problems with their motors limiting their speed, with trains powered by the Swedish-developed AEM-7 locomotives pulling conventional Amfleet I and II coaches, whose design was based on the ''Metroliner'', at up to 120 mph (later 125). Amtrak expanded ''Metroliner'' service when problems developed with ''Acela Express'' braking systems during 2002 and 2005. As trainsets were repaired, the number of ''Metroliner'' trains declined to one round trip each weekday, eventually discontinued, and the fleet was transferred to other routes. The current ''Northeast Regional'' service matches Metroliner top speed but does not offer first class seating. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Metroliner (train)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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