Hi Jim -

Max is correct - they are louvers used to cool the electrical system and motors.

I always thought it was odd that the Acela and its cousin, the HHP-8 had been
designed that way while European models seemed much more sleek with uninterrupted
panels. Could you imagine a TGV or an ICE train with louvers? Even more curious
is why Amtrak had not adopted the practice of Japanese HSR trains where each car
has its own motor and passengers can be found in each car, including the end units.
Perhaps that is too expensive? But I would assume more reliable and faster starts.

Speaking of reliability - Max is correct there as well - during the bigger snow
storms, the HHP-8's were sidelined, as were many of the Acela's while the AEM-7's
took over. Most of the AEM-7's are retired by now - and the HHP-8's have not
operated in some time (on Amtrak). However, the ACS-64 "Cities Sprinters" do quite
well and, like the AEM-7's - they have no louvers.

Here are some shots detailing the louvers on both the Acela and HHP-8's:

Acela Express

HHP-8

/Mitch