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This particular route was notable because it was the maiden commercial voyage of Amtrak’s next-generation train set, the Asella. Designed to deliver increased capacity, enhanced comfort, and higher speeds over the aging fleet it was meant to replace, the new trains had been years in the making. The rollout of the Asella was touted as a transformative moment for American passenger rail, with celebrations including fireworks, music, and speeches celebrating a new era. It symbolized a decade-long effort to modernize and elevate Amtrak’s service.