America's First High-Speed Rail to Transform Transportation

Early last week, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Siemens Mobility and Brightline West announced that Horseheads, New York, will be home to North America's first high-speed rail production facility. 

The nearly 300,000 sq ft facility will produce America's first high-speed train, the American Pioneer 220, operating on Brightline West's Las Vegas to Southern California line. The project expects to create nearly 300 manufacturing, engineering, quality control, and test management jobs.

The site represents a US$60m investment, and Horseheads was chosen due to its industrial history, skilled workforce, and ideal location in the southern tier of New York state.  The high-speed rail project aims to connect Las Vegas and Southern.

Production of the facility is expected to begin in 2026. The facility could spark a wave of high-speed rail manufacturing across the US that would fundamentally change the nation.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says, "Upstate New York is unmatched in rail car manufacturing capabilities, with a deep, proud history of pioneering the rail industry and a community that is excited to get to work building America's future."

"Siemens Mobility is an excellent addition to the outstanding manufacturers already in this region, and I am thrilled they heeded my call to come to New York and will join the rail car manufacturing ecosystem right here in the Southern Tier. 

"It's full steam ahead for America's high-speed rail future, with every stop powered by union workers here in Upstate NY."

Siemens & The American Pioneer 220 

Brightline selected Siemens Mobility to help build the train sets for the project.

Siemens has a nearly 150-year history in New York State, which began with the first transatlantic telegraph cable between Europe and the US in 1875. 

Siemens has invested US$3bn in the country over the past four years, with 45,000 employees and 25 manufacturing sites.

Brightline selected Siemens Mobility to help build the train sets for the project.

Siemens has a nearly 150-year history in New York State, which began with the first transatlantic telegraph cable between Europe and the US in 1875. 

Siemens has invested US$3bn in the country over the past four years, with 45,000 employees and 25 manufacturing sites. 

Siemens has built the sets for the railway's American Pioneer 220 train within the US.

Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility. "This is an exciting time not only for us at Siemens Mobility but for the rail industry as a whole."

"This new facility in Horseheads, New York, marks the beginning of a brand-new industry in the USA – bringing high-speed rail production and some of the world's most modern trains to the continent for the first time.

"Designed with the latest digital twin technology and leveraging world-class digital rail solutions, the New York-built American Pioneer 220s feature cutting-edge advancements, including a revolutionary gearless propulsion system that reduces energy consumption by 30% and allows it to climb effortlessly at steep grades."

This ultrawide body train prioritises accessibility and sustainability, enabling wheelchairs to move seamlessly from car to car throughout the entire train set.

With high-speed internet connectivity and large, comfortable trains, commuters and leisure passengers will travel comfortably and in style.

The first-of-its-kind lounge, 'party car,' will allow passengers to relax, enjoy a beverage, and view the desert in a true passenger experience. 

Why US high-speed rail matters 

This investment in high-speed rail is a huge deal, marking the turning point in a conversation prominent in the US culture discourse since the 2010s: Is high-speed rail possible here? 

The answer to this is a resounding yes. For too long,  the car has dominated the American transportation landscape and has been the sole option to counteract the country's hugeness.

After all, how can rail be a reality when the state of Texas alone is bigger than most European countries? 

Tell that to China, which is also huge. In terms of land area, it is approximately 2% larger than the US, with a population of 4.17 times the US.

In 2024, China will have about 1.43 billion people, while the United States will have only 342 million. 

Yet despite its greater size, China has rolled out a comprehensive high-speed rail network (HSR) across the country since the early 2000s.

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