Currently, New Yorkers’ only option for high-speed train service connecting us to cities along the Northeast corridor is the newly launched Amtrak NextGen Acela which, reaching speeds of up to 160 mph, is billed as America’s fastest train. The caveat: these trains don’t offer coach service. That could soon change, though, as a new era of high-speed rail travel could be arriving to NYC soon.
By spring 2026, AmeriStarRail’s Libertyliner 250 may connect Manhattan and Boston in under three hours, introducing the first-ever high-speed coach train service in the U.S.
What Is the Libertyliner 250?
The Libertyliner 250 is a proposed rebrand of Amtrak’s NextGen Acela, developed in partnership with Delaware-based AmeriStarRail, a private rail company planning to transform travel along the Northeast Corridor.
The “250” in its name celebrates America’s 250th anniversary, the same year it’s expected to launch.
Built from Alstom’s Avelia Liberty high-speed trainsets, the Libertyliner 250 would reach speeds up to 160 mph, running hourly between New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Inside the AmeriStarRail Libertyliner 250, America’s Fastest Coach Train
The Libertyliner 250 isn’t just designed to get passengers from point A to point B faster—it’s about redefining what train travel in America feels like. Modeled after the world’s most advanced rail experiences, the train brings comfort, entertainment, and small luxuries to every seat class.
🪑 Coach Class: Affordable Comfort Meets Modern Convenience
For the first time in U.S. rail history, coach passengers will experience true high-speed travel without sacrificing comfort. AmeriStarRail’s goal is to make fast trains accessible for everyone, from students and families to retirees and travelers on a budget.
Coach class is expected to include:
- 🎥 Free onboard entertainment, with movies, TV shows, and music available through a personal device portal
- ☕️ A café lounge, complete with coffee service, water coolers, and a bottle-refill station
- 🧸 Family-friendly zones, including a children’s play area to make long journeys easier for parents
- 🪑 Assured seating, ensuring groups and families can sit together
- 💺 Generous legroom and wide reclining seats with power outlets and USB ports at every seat
- 🛜 Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the train
As AmeriStarRail puts it:
High-speed rail should be for everyone—not just those in business class.
💼 Business Class: Productivity on the Go
Business travelers will find that the Libertyliner 250 is as functional as it is fast. Beyond the comfort upgrades, passengers can enjoy a workspace on rails:
- 🤫 Quiet cars optimized for working and calls
- 💻 Onboard conference rooms available by reservation for private meetings
- 👞 Free shoe-shine service for travelers heading straight to appointments or events
- 🍔 Enhanced dining options, including table service for meals and beverages
- ☁️ Cloth headrests, travel neck pillows, and an elevated service standard
🛋️ First Class: The Ultimate in Onboard Luxury
For those looking for a true first-class experience, the Libertyliner 250 aims to rival premium airline cabins.
- 🧖♀️ Massage chair pads built into seating
- 👑 Access to exclusive lounges at select stations, including massage services for travelers in between journeys
- 🤫 Quiet first-class sections for total relaxation
- 🧳 Door-to-door baggage service, letting travelers check in luggage that’s delivered directly to their destination
- ☁️ Complimentary neck pillows, premium amenities, and personalized service
In essence, the Libertyliner 250 merges the luxury of air travel with the space and scenery of train travel—a modernization effort not seen since the debut of America’s first fast trains, the Metroliners of 1969.
What This Means for New Yorkers
If launched on schedule, the Libertyliner 250 would make it possible for New Yorkers reach Boston in 2 hours 59 minutes, or D.C. in under 2 hours—all while enjoying more frequent departures, new routes, and eco-friendly travel options.
AmeriStarRail COO Scott Spencer notes that all 28 trainsets could be operational by spring 2026, running daily from 5 am to 11 pm. See the full proposed routes.
A Greener, Smarter Future for U.S. Rail
Beyond comfort and convenience, AmeriStarRail emphasizes sustainability. The project promises to cut congestion, lower emissions, and expand access to destinations from Long Island to Portland, Maine. Additionally, the train’s café car promotes waste-free water stations and locally sourced snacks.
As S.R. Spencer, AmeriStarRail Co-Founder, puts it:
Trains are the most sustainable, climate friendly form of transportation. Go Easy on the Environment, Go by Train!
If approved, this could mark the biggest transformation in American rail travel in decades—and it all starts right here in New York City! Learn more about AmeriStarRail’s Libertyliner 250.