Amtrak Appoints Albrecht Engel To Head High Speed Rail Department

The move appointment comes as the Obama administration intensifies its efforts to create true high speed rail connections across the country with trains moving at speeds in excess of 155mph.

"The administration this year gave $8 billion in stimulus funds to jump-start high-speed rail projects on 13 corridors in 31 states. It has promised $5 billion more over the next five years. Congressional advocates of high-speed rails are seeking $50 million over the next six years," explains Paul Nussbaum.

"Amtrak, whose fastest Acela Express trains currently reach 150 m.p.h. for brief stretches on the Northeast Corridor, expects to release soon of a study outlining its own vision for true high-speed travel on the Washington-to-Boston corridor."

"Al has considerable expertise, is a dedicated proponent for public transportation, and shares our conviction that Amtrak plays a vital, leading, and necessary role in expanding and operating high-speed rail service across the country," Amtrak president Joseph Boardman said in a statement Friday.