US NewsSiemens to propel U.S. transport with 200 mph trains linking Vegas to LA

Siemens to propel U.S. transport with 200 mph trains linking Vegas to LA

In the picture, an express intercity train on the Brightline railway route.

Images source: © via Getty Images | Bloomberg, David Paul Morris

8:18 AM EDT, May 4, 2024

Siemens is set to provide the United States with ultrafast train sets capable of achieving an average speed of 200 mph on the route between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The German conglomerate successfully outbid the French TGV train manufacturer, Alstom, for the contract, as reported by "Rzeczpospolita."

The journey from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Rancho Cucamonga, a suburb of Los Angeles, spans 217 miles. Travelers will be able to traverse this distance aboard the American Pioneer 220 trains, designed by Siemens. Initially, the plan involves a fleet of 10 trains, though the precise financial details of the deal remain undisclosed.

With an anticipated average speed of 200 mph, the travel time is expected to be under two hours—cutting the current car travel duration by half. Siemens projects that around 11 million passengers will utilize this service each year.

These trains, consisting of seven cars each, will have capacity limits ranging from 434 to 450 passengers. Moreover, the design emphasizes accessibility, aiming to meet and surpass the standards outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This initiative ensures ease of movement between cars for wheelchair users, as detailed by the website pl.railmarket.com.

The construction of the new railway line, meant to connect Nevada with California, comes with a projected cost of $12 billion—a venture announced by President Joe Biden in December of the previous year. Ideally, the first line will commence operations in time for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Yet President Biden's vision extends further, with an additional $30 billion pledged to develop high-speed rail networks nationwide. This funding includes enhancing the 249-mile Dallas-to-Houston corridor in Texas. This train journey requires a day's travel time, necessitating a transfer.

The French seek opportunities

Alstom's high-speed train ambitions in the U.S. remain undeterred despite losing to Siemens. The French company's Avelia Liberty trains, which serve the Boston-Washington route, are restricted to speeds of 149 mph and, thus, do not qualify as high-speed TGVs under current U.S. regulations. Since 2016, when the Obama administration ordered 28 trains, Alstom has completed 13. These trains are pending delivery, awaiting American rail transport safety authority certification.