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Amtrak launches new 160mph Acela trains — but they take just as long as the old ones
(www.independent.co.uk)
this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2025
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The tracks and I'm sure the distances between stops. Hard to hit full speed when you already have to plan to slow down for the next stop.
Part of handling that is having both local and limited-stop services (which they likely already do) and a good local/commuter train network.
I'd think, in order to hit full speed even with a limited stop or express train, you'd still have speed issues coming up on a metro area. You can't just blow through Philly at 160 even if you hadn't planned on stopping there.
You can but the track has to be built for it. Japan has stations that are passed at 320km/h (200mph). You need minimum four tracks (two platforms, two passing) and curves/gradients suitable for the speed, along with noise mitigations as necessary.
If you're trying to re-use tracks and stations built in the 1800s that's possibly less feasible.