By Laurence Arnold, Associated Press, 8/13/02

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Amtrak's summer of discontent continued Tuesday, when the railroad suspended most of its high-speed Acela Express service so it could inspect the trains for cracks in shock absorbers beneath their locomotive cars.

RESOURCES To get information on train schedules and routes, visit www.amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA RAIL Amtrak at South Station

Amtrak found the cracks below three locomotives. Two trains that passed the inspection Monday night were expected to be in service, spokesman Bill Schulz said.

Inspections were continuing on Amtrak's 13 other Acela Express trains, which operate only between Washington, D.C., New York and Boston.

Other Amtrak trains that serve the busy Northeast Corridor, including Acela Regional and Metroliner service, are not affected.

"We're bringing as much equipment as we can into service to make up for the shortfall," Schulz said.

Amtrak pledged to credit passengers for the difference in ticket prices between Acela Express and the trains they take.

About 40,000 people ride Amtrak in the Northeast Corridor on a typical weekday. Of that number, more than 10,000 use Acela Express.

Amtrak encouraged its passengers to check departures by visiting its Web site or calling (800) USA-RAIL.

The high-speed trains, capable of reaching 150 mph, are built by a consortium of Canada's Bombardier Transportation and France's Alstom Ltd. Amtrak is working with Bombardier on a plan to repair and standardize the 18 trains in use.

The first cracked yaw damper bracket was discovered Monday during a periodic maintenance inspection. Each power car has four yaw dampers that prevent swaying at high speeds, which could accelerate wear and tear to rails and train wheels.

A yaw damper that broke loose could cause serious damage to the train's underside.

Amtrak said it immediately directed Bombardier and Alstom, and their subsidiary maintenance company, to inspect all brackets.

The decision to pull the Acela Express trains is the latest blow for financially troubled Amtrak. The railroad suffered a cash crisis so severe this summer that it needed $205 million from the government to avert a nationwide shutdown.

Last month, an Amtrak train from Chicago to Washington derailed in Maryland, injuring more than 100 people. The train engineer reported seeing a kink in the tracks that could have been caused by excessive heat, and investigators found the rails were more than two feet out of alignment.

When Acela Express was introduced less than two years ago, Amtrak was hopeful the high-speed trains would carry the railroad into the 21st century. But equipment problems and unreliable service have plagued Acela Express.

Amtrak's all-reserved Metroliner service, which runs slightly slower than Acela Express, used to be the Northeast's premier service. Amtrak's original plan was to phase out the Metroliner and replace it with Acela Express, which has more amenities and a higher ticket price.

But the Acela Express trains have posted the worst on-time performance record this year among all Amtrak trains in the heavily traveled Northeast corridor. Last month, 35 Acela Express trains were canceled before leaving the station or terminated before reaching their destination. Most cancellations were due to equipment problems.

Amtrak announced earlier this month that all 18 of the high-speed trains need repairs and modifications. The passenger railroad declined to accept delivery of a 19th train, citing modifications that were not made.

On a typical day, Amtrak sends 15 Acela Express trains into service and keeps three in reserve.

Amtrak officials say mechanical problems aside, Acela Express has been a success in attracting riders. Amtrak trains now carry more passengers between Washington and New York each day than do the US Airways and Delta shuttles combined.