The improved performance and amenities from better Acela will translate into more profits for Amtrak to improve the other lines that run. For Amtrak, I can arrive 5 minutes before it leaves, have plenty of space in my seat, food that's a lot better then airlines, and walk around when I want to which is so much better then the airplane experience. I can't wait for the new trains to come.
I've never taken Amtrak, but from what I understand, it's not that great outside the northeast megalopolis. Every time I've looked at their site, it's always been only barely cheaper than flying and often has no trains to a destination I search. Especially if that destination is not a huge city
As someone who commutes on the shared train lines used for the NYC to DC route I for-see more delays for my commute to make the reliability numbers go up. Screw over the many for the benefit of a few... Many being the normal more commuters out of New York Penn Station.
When I took the Acela a few times this year, I was surprised to see only Dunkin Donuts coffee served. I would expect Starbucks or better on a train marketed towards an upscale crowd.