Amtrak names Al Engel VP-HSR
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefAmtrak Thursday announced it has hired Albrecht P. Engel to head up its new high speed rail department so that Amtrak can expand its HSR opportunities. Engel, an ardent supporter of U.S. high speed rail, comes to Amtrak from AECOM.
“Engel has more than 40 years of experience in the rail transportation business and over that time has been active in the study, advocacy, and development of high speed rail projects,” said Amtrak. Engel was involved in the launch of the highly successful Acela service on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor 10 years ago.
Engel (pictured at left), currently vice president and high speed rail director with AECOM, also serves on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) board of directors. He also has served as chairman of the High Speed Ground Transportation Association.
“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 and CEO Joseph Boardman said.
Said Engel in a statement, “Amtrak is an integral part of America’s high speed rail future as highways and aviation networks reach capacity in our urban areas. … I am very enthused to have this opportunity to work for Amtrak and with national and regional leaders to help implement a new balanced transportation vision for the U.S.”
