NY child sends Biden drawing of Amtrak train built in Hornell. See the art and his reply

President Joe Biden’s well-known support for Amtrak and his interest in high-speed rail has driven the Alstom facility in Hornell into the national spotlight and has an Averill Park, New York, sixth-grader imagining a train ride with the commander-in-chief.

On Jan. 30, Biden used his official @POTUS Twitter account to share a note and a drawing by Connor Bozlak of Amtrak's next-generation high-speed trains, built by Alstom in Hornell.

Along with the drawing, the middle school student wrote, “Dear President Biden, I can’t wait to see these awesome Amtrak trains in the future. Maybe we can ride on one together some day. Congrats on being president and good luck.”

In addition to including Connor’s note and drawing, the president added his own remarks in the tweet, writing, “From one train guy to another: same. Thanks for the letter and drawing, Connor. You’ve got quite the talent.”

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Connor, who has turned 11 since he made the drawing and mailed it to the president last spring, explained that his interest in trains began very early in life.

“When I was born, my first word was ‘choo-choo,’ and that’s what started it all. From there on, I always liked trains. That was the number one thing I’ve liked,” he said. “I have read about them a lot, and I even have a model train layout downstairs in my basement.”

Aware that the president is a train buff, Connor said, "I wanted to do something nice for him, and I know that they’re coming up with new trains, so I wanted to do it for him.”

Connor studied pictures of the Acela and then drew from memory.

“It kind of looks like a bullet train,” he commented.

Connor and his family didn't even realize the president had tweeted the message and drawing until Thursday when a White House staffer emailed Christine Bozlak, Connor's mom, with the news.

“We’re just so surprised. We know that the president, I’m sure, gets a lot of correspondence, so for him to take an interest in it and tweet about it is just absolutely amazing,” she said.

What was Connor's reaction?

“I was flipping out," he said. "It was so crazy that President Biden said that I drew it. It’s something I never thought about before.”

President Biden is a big supporter of high-speed rail

Biden earned the nickname "Amtrak Joe" during his decades in the Senate, when the rail service served as his primary means of transportation between the nation's capital and his home in Delaware. He has long supported improvements to America's rail infrastructure.

Biden’s tweet has earned more than 55,000 likes and nearly 6,000 retweets, including one from Alstom USA (@AlstomUSA), which wrote, “We can't wait for all of you, including Connor, to enjoy a ride on the #NewAcela, proudly being built by Alstom in Hornell, NY!”

Archana Kumar, Alstom communication manager, said Connor's drawing has "resonated with so many people."

"Our workforce is very proud to see the drawing by Connor," Kumar added. "It serves as a reminder that our work here in Hornell matters. Our products keep communities around the country moving every day."

Connor knows what he would say to Hornell's Alstom workforce if he had the opportunity to discuss the Acela.

“I would say to them it is a big improvement to the rails across the United States, and I think it will help lots of people get from place to place," he said. "I think they’re doing an amazing job on it. And just tell them, 'Keep doing what they’re doing, and it will be awesome.'”

The Hornell Alstom workforce will ultimately produce 28 new Acela trainsets to build out the high-speed fleet, part of a $2 billion contract awarded in 2016. The first trainsets are expected to enter service this year.

The next-generation Acela cars feature the latest in passenger comforts, including:

• Nearly 25% more seats. According to Amtrak, the 386 seats on each train will have the spacious, high-end comfort customers expect.

• Personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat.

• Contemporary food service, offering easy access and greater selection.

• Complimentary WiFi.

• Exceed accessibility requirements for people with disabilities.

• Spacious restrooms with a 60-inch diameter turning radius.

According to Amtrak, the Acela reached a maximum speed of 166.8 mph during testing.

"Alstom is thrilled to see the train we are building in Hornell highlighted by President Biden," Kumar said. "It highlights the incredible work the team in Hornell and across our region are doing to bring the next generation of Acela to the United States."

Alstom is in the process of expanding its presence in Hornell after winning a contract from Metra to provide rail cars for the Chicago metropolitan area. The base order calls for Alstom to manufacture 200 cars in Hornell, with options for up to 300 more. Construction of a new rail car manufacturing facility on Shawmut Drive is underway. The contract is expected to add around 250 new jobs and preserve 400 others.

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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell Alstom facility in spotlight as Biden shares NY child's train art