Fastest passenger train makes first departure at Boston's South Station

BOSTON —

The fastest passenger train in the United States left Boston's South Station early Thursday after debuting in Washington, D.C. Latest Forecast

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The NextGen Acela can reach top speeds of 160 miles per hour, 10 miles per hour faster than the current fleet, which launched 25 years ago, Amtrak said.

"Physically, it rides a lot more smoothly. It's new, and when you get inside, you really notice the windows are bigger, there's more light, the artificial light inside is much smoother, and the color scheme — it just makes it feel more relaxed inside," Amtrak President Roger Harris said.

The trains that connect Boston to New York and Washington, D.C., feature a special tilt system to help them navigate curves at high speeds, increas