Thanks for this post and the great memory-jogging photos.
Thanks to some friends I had at Amtrak, I was fortunate enough to get both cab and train rides in the X-2000 between Penn Station, New York, and Washington Union Station on February 23 and 26th, 1993. I still have a couple of commemorative coffee cups to show for it.
I remember being impressed by the train's performance and smooth ride, especially as it cruised for relatively long stretches at speeds well above 100 mph. That said, despite its widely promoted 150+ MPH capability, I believe the speed was restricted to 135 during the runs I was aboard for. I also recall that watching the catenary towers through the windshield created the sensation that they were rotating around the train as it actually was tilting on its trucks. It looked and felt rather like an airplane in a banked turn, as you get drawn down into the seat rather than pulled side-to-side.
Inside and out it was a good-looking train, especially for its time. The creature comforts aboard the coaches also were impressive, although I remember thinking that the elegant Swedish styling and light wood paneling used extensively throughout the interiors probably wouldn't stand up well to the rigors of Amtrak NEC service. In the end, it didn't matter: we got the Acela.
Incidentally, I recall the dates so clearly because the return trip on that Friday was stalled by the bombing of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. The train had left Washington on time and stepped out lively at first, but was hours late pulling into a seriously overcrowded Penn Station. Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the LIRR all were contending with lengthy train delays.
Crank
