Siemens press statement off website:
Siemens Mobility to establish America’s first high-speed rail production facility in Horseheads, New York
September 9, 2024
- Site represents an approx. $60 million investment
- Nearly 300,000 sq ft. facility will create around 300 jobs
- First-of-its-kind true high-speed rail production in North America
- Will produce American Pioneer 220 trainsets for Brightline West
- Siemens Mobility will partner with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Brightline West and Siemens Mobility announced today that Horseheads, New York will become home to North America’s first high-speed rail production facility. The first-of-its-kind facility in the United States will produce America’s first high-speed trains, the American Pioneer 220, which will operate on Brightline West’s Las Vegas to Southern California line. Selected for its skilled workforce, industrial history and ability to best meet the needs of Brightline West, Horseheads is located in the southern tier of New York state. Production at the facility is expected to begin in 2026.
“America’s high-speed rail future will be built in Upstate NY. 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, but because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law is becoming a reality. After months of relentless advocacy, I am proud to announce this massive 300 job first of its kind manufacturing facility for America is coming to Upstate NY,” said Leader Schumer. “Upstate New York is unmatched in rail car manufacturing capabilities, with a deep proud history 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 manufactures 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. All eyes are on this major step in the modernization of America’s infrastructure and the Southern Tier will be at the forefront! Thanks to the trainsets that will be made right here in Chemung County. It’s full steam ahead for America’s high-speed rail future, with every stop powered by union workers here in Upstate NY.”
“Bringing high-speed rail to America is no longer a dream, but a reality. With Leader Schumer, the Biden Administration and Brightline’s leadership we will transform the way Americans travel,” said Marc Buncher, CEO Siemens Mobility North America. “Continuing our more than four-decade legacy of building trains in America, the American Pioneer 220s will be American-Made in New York by a team of more than 300 skilled team members.”
“We’ve said from the start that Brightline West will plant the flag for high-speed rail in America and will lay the foundation for a new industry with unimaginable economic benefits. Today’s announcement that jobs are being created thousands of miles away from the rail line is just the starting point,” said Michael Reininger CEO of Brightline. “For the first time ever in the U.S., we will be manufacturing trains that will compete with the best in the world. Reaching speeds of over 200 mph, these trains will be marked by the latest innovations designed for the modern traveler and establishing a new benchmark in transportation.”
"Through a $4 million grant from our FAST NY program, the Chemung County IDA is able to help prepare this site for Siemens Mobility so that they can create good paying, Union jobs in the Southern Tier and get up and operating quickly," said Governor Hochul. "Today's announcement is testament to the partnership between state, local and federal support to grow manufacturing and unlock real opportunities in New York State."
"Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Leader Schumer’s strong support of it in the Senate, this is a transformative time for American rail, and today’s announcement is yet another example of how investments in transportation bring economic opportunity and growth around the country,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “FRA is proud of our investments in the Brightline West project and high-speed rail. Millions of annual riders between Las Vegas and Southern California stand to benefit from the train sets to be built in Upstate New York, and I know the local community will benefit as well.”
When fully operational, the new manufacturing facility will span nearly 300,000 square feet and create around 300 jobs – including electro-mechanical assemblers, quality management, quality control, industrial production and test engineers, project management, supply chain management and logistics employees. Just as New York’s rich rail history once helped shape the state, these skilled jobs will help shape high-speed rail production in our country for the very first time. Siemens Mobility also has a memorandum of understanding in place with the International Association of Machinist for union representation at the new site.
“We would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his leadership in bringing the manufacturing of Brightline Train Sets to New York and ensuring that skilled IAM members were at the forefront of this project,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “This partnership is more than just a moment. It’s a new chapter for the future of rail transportation, with good union jobs creating lasting economic benefits for generations to come.”
Siemens brings more than two billion miles of experience across its more than 1,000 high-speed trains. Putting the needs of 21st century American travelers top-of-mind, Siemens engineers designed the next generation of trains, the Siemens American Pioneer 220, featuring the latest digital technologies, including Railigent X, from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, unparalleled passenger experience, and safety features to meet FRA requirements.
Brightline selected Siemens Mobility to build trainsets for the Brightline West high-speed rail project that will connect Las Vegas and Southern California in under two hours. The American Pioneer 220 will be the first true high-speed trainsets to be built in America. Production in Horseheads will begin in 2026.
With an unmatched passenger experience, it is an ultrawide body train, designed to meet the needs of passengers today and into the future. The new empty tube body concept, results in the most accessible high-speed rail vehicle on the market, ensuring passengers in wheelchairs can seamlessly move from car to car throughout the entire trainset, exceeding ADA requirements. With large, comfortable seats and high-speed internet connectivity, business commuters and leisure passengers alike will enjoy a comfortable ride as they drive by those sitting in automobile traffic on the freeway. Furthermore, the “party-car” creates an exciting passenger experience, emblematic of its name. The first-of-its-kind lounge car will allow passengers to relax, enjoy a beverage and views of the desert along the commute.
Siemens has deep roots in New York state and a nearly 150-year history, beginning in 1875 with the first transatlantic telegraph cable between the U.S. and Europe. Today, the company has more than 2,500 employees in New York, including the Siemens Mobility North American Headquarters, and encompassing 15 facilities in the company’s infrastructure, financial services, mobility, and healthcare businesses. More than 1,100 New York businesses are also part of Siemens U.S. supply chain. The new facility also joins Siemens Mobility’s growing U.S. manufacturing footprint, with eight manufacturing facilities currently in operation around the country – providing more than 3,000 rail vehicles, 30,000 rail crossings, and more than 4,500 jobs to North America. Siemens Mobility contributes to the power of connection, jobs and investment in America, with more than 2,000 suppliers across the United States.
Siemens has been a national asset moving America forward for more than 160 years, investing $3 billion in the United States over the past four years while serving the industries and infrastructure forming the backbone of the American economy. The company’s 45,000 employees across the U.S. and 25 manufacturing sites are developing and deploying technologies for more than 100 cities and 90 percent of Fortune 500 industrial companies.
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