AMTRAK IS THROWING A CURVE INTO TRAIN TRAVel -- a more than 100-m.p.h. curve. The national rail service's new X2000 high-speed train began operating on the Washington-New York Metroliner route. The X2000 can go up to 155 m.p.h., but until it gets speed clearance from the Federal Railroad Administration, it will operate at the normal Metroliner maximum speed of 125 m.p.h. Still, it goes from D.C. to N.Y.C. in 2 hr. 40 min. -- 15 min. faster than conventional trains. Its secret: a hydraulic tilting system that helps it take curves 40% faster.
As Amtrak opened its new speedster to the...