LAS VEGAS — Siemens Mobility has been selected as the “preferred bidder” to build the initial trainsets for the Brightline West high speed rail project, Brightline announced today (Wednesday, May 1).
Siemens will build 10 “American Pioneer 220” trainsets and receive a 30-year contract for maintenance at a facility in Sloan, Nev., under the agreement. The equipment was designed to consider future interoperability with the California High-Speed Rail project, and will meet “Buy America” requirements.
The new equipment will be based on the Siemens Velaro platform already operating in Europe. Siemens will develop a new facility to build the equipment at a location to be announced when the contract is finalized. The seven-car trainsets will have a capacity of 434 to 450 passengers, depending on final configuration. Brightline says they will be “designed to be the most accessible train on the market,” exceeding ADA requirements in allowing passengers in wheelchairs to move from car to car.
“Just as we redefined train travel with our trainsets for Brightline Florida, we are excited to pioneer this new frontier of manufacturing and development for Brightline West,” Brightline CEO Michael Reininger said in a press release. “The momentum we are building, will culminate in new jobs and a new supply chain that will establish the foundation for a high-speed rail industry from coast to coast.”
The announcement continues the relationship between Brightline and Siemens, which supplied the locomotives and railcars for Brightline’s Florida operation. Brightline officials had indicated selection of an equipment supplier was imminent during the April 22 Brightline West groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas, given the company’s goal of launching operations in 2028.
“We are excited to work with Brightline to transform rail in America,” said Marc Buncher, Siemens Mobility North America CEO. “The high-speed chapter of America’s rail story will build on Siemens’ 40 years of designing, building, testing, delivering and maintaining trains in the United States. On behalf of our 4,500 rail employees across the United States, we are excited to be selected to build and maintain America’s first true high-speed trains, which will feature some of the world’s most innovative high-speed rail technology. When they enter service, it will be one of the most pivotal moments in the history of American rail.”
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