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American Pioneer 220, Copyright Brightline West
Siemens Mobility is making a significant move in U.S. transportation with plans to build the first high-speed rail production facility in North America for trains that will connect Las Vegas and Southern California in under two hours.
This development will take place in Horseheads, New York, and is set to produce cutting-edge trains that could reshape rail travel across the United States.
The facility, covering nearly 300,000 square feet, represents a $60 million investment and is expected to create around 300 new jobs once fully operational in 2026.
The plant will be the birthplace of Siemens’ American Pioneer 220 trainsets, designed for Brightline West’s high-speed rail project, which will connect Southern California and Las Vegas.
These state-of-the-art trains are capable of speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, cutting the travel time between the two regions to just two hours—a significant reduction from the current four-hour car journey. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize U.S. infrastructure, fueled by funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, expressed the transformative nature of the project: “This new facility in Horseheads, New York, marks the beginning of a brand-new industry in the USA – bringing both high-speed rail production and some of the world’s most modern trains to the continent for the first time”.
The American Pioneer 220 trainsets will feature some of the latest rail technology, including a revolutionary gearless propulsion system that reduces energy consumption by 30%. These trains are also designed with an “empty tube body” concept, ensuring full accessibility for passengers with disabilities, and equipped with high-speed internet connectivity.
The decision to locate the factory in Horseheads is rooted in the region’s rich rail manufacturing history. Upstate New York has long been a hub for rail car production, with companies like Alstom anchoring the area.
Siemens’ arrival adds another major player to this ecosystem.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a key advocate for the project, praised its importance for both the local economy and the future of U.S. transportation: “Siemens’ investment in Upstate NY will lay the foundation for the next chapter of our nation’s transportation future, making high-speed rail, what only a few years ago seemed like a dream, a reality”.
Once production starts in 2026, the Horseheads facility will supply the Brightline West project with its trainsets, aiming to deliver them before the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028.
The Brightline West project itself, a $12 billion public-private partnership, is seen as a cornerstone in the U.S.’s efforts to build a high-speed rail network, setting a new benchmark for transportation across the country.
This development marks a major milestone in the country’s infrastructure ambitions, bringing high-speed rail closer to reality in the U.S.
Michael Reininger, CEO of Brightline, echoed this optimism: “For the first time ever in the U.S., we will be manufacturing trains that will compete with the best in the world”.
With lasting economic and environmental benefits, this new facility promises to make high-speed rail a viable and sustainable option for American travelers.