I travel on Acela a couple of times a year when I'm in the Northeast. Quite frankly, I never know the optimal place to stand on the platform to board so I'll have the largest selection of seats. Is there a web page that shows the order of cars for a given Acela? Is there a standard order of the cars, or does it vary from train to train? Thanks in advance.

I can't help with your question, but I just wanted to say "Hi", MRand!

Hello to you too MichelleY. It's been a long time since I've posted. What's been going on around here?

New Acela trains will be going into service in 2021.
https://futureofrail.amtrak.com/
Unlike other Amtrak trains, the Acelas are built as a unit and don't come apart.

Hi MRand,

I think someone might be able to help if you tell us where you're planning on boarding (Baltimore? Philly?) and going. I've travelled frequently in the Northeast Corridor and I'd be surprised if there's a rhyme or reason to which cars have the most available seats, but maybe someone else has cottoned on to a trend. In my experience, it's either close to being completely full and you just grab the first available seat (starting in NYC at a busy time) or sometimes there are just plenty of available seats (boarding in Baltimore south, you've lost a significant number of passengers with the loss of the sizeable NY to Philly crowd).

Best wishes, D. Williams

I use Amtrak in the northeast corridor, but not Acela. I'd be surprised if boarding differed, though, and I don't think it matters where you stand.

One tip I learned here on the Forum is that using the Red Cap service (you'll need to tip), will give you early access to the train.