High-Speed Trains for Washington - New York Service

Railroad cars capable of 160 mph speed are under construction at The Budd Company for use in the Department of Commerce High Speed Ground Transportation Demonstration Project. These cars will be operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad between Washington and New York on upgraded conventional track. Only moderately streamlined, the cars will operate as pairs in trains of various lengths. Each car carries its own propulsion power and electric and air braking provisions in order to attract a reasonable share of traffic. Comfort is stressed in interior accommodations and appearance. Suitable riding quality at these speeds is accomplished by modem refinement of conventional running gear. Coach and Parlor seats are provided and provisions for food service at the seats are available. Unusual precautions are taken to isolate noise and vibration and ventilation is improved over current systems. The structure of austenitic stainless steel is refined over normal practice and the technically complicated curved side strength was determined by digital computer techniques. Definition of track alignment permits analog computer determination of riding comfort.