New York site chosen for factory to build high-speed trains for Las Vegas-California line

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 12:33 PM EDT, September 9, 2024


HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (AP) — Trains for what is being called the nation’s first true high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area will be built at a new factory in upstate New York, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday.

Siemens Mobility will construct the American Pioneer 220 trains at a 300,000-square-foot (28,000-square-meter) facility in Horseheads, which is near the Pennsylvania line, said Schumer, a New York Democrat. About 300 jobs will be created, he said.

“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,” Schumer said in a statement.

Construction on the $12 billion passenger bullet train service is underway and is expected to be finished in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Brightline West will build more than 218 miles (351 kilometers) of new track along the Interstate 15 corridor between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, California, where it will link to a commuter rail connection to downtown Los Angeles.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/high-speed-train-vegas-california-manufacturer-7ccbe151bfa548b3694ee632a6c33f3c

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REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143229490

[groundloop]

1. The US has some serious catching up to do in public transportation

I was in France for the Olympics, we visited 5 cities while there. Each one had far better tram/subway systems than anywhere I've ever been in the US, and we were able to take high speed trains between each of the cities we visited. It was super cool going over 200 mph and sailing past cars on the highway like they were standing still.

[Dem2theMax]

2. I was lucky enough to travel in Europe in the '80s and 90s.

Even then, I was beyond amazed at public transportation. We used it everywhere we could. When we got back to the states, I couldn't stand using my car. It didn't make sense. Still doesn't. Unfortunately, I live in an area where there is very little public transportation. I'm outside of the city, and nothing comes out my way.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Unfortunately few here in the U.S.

would tolerate the government putting a "right of way" for new tracks through their property. It's ironic because when the railroads were first being built, the wealthy actually WANTED to be near the stations - hence here in PA, the tawny "Main Line" - https://lowermerionhistory.org/home/full-text/contents/pennsylvania-railroad/

[Lemon Lyman]

4. YUP!

No idea if this part has any validity to it... I remember reading years ago that (at least one of) the reason(s) republicans don't want to fund public transit (which is a big reason we don't have good public transit) is that they don't like people being together - sharing time/experiences. They want people alone in their vehicles, hating each other.

It's like cities. Cities are liberal. People of all races and genders and sexualities live together and get to know each other. They realize we all have a lot in common. Rural people are out on their own and are fearful of "those others." That's what republicans want.

I'm sure the oil lobby (more cars burning more oil) plays into it too.

[Tikki]

5. Excellent news...American Made.

Tikki

[ultralite001]

6. Why...

isn't this train being manufactured closer to where it is going to be put in service???

Seems an inordinate waste of time + resources simply in transportation costs...

This is America... We can do better...

[BumRushDaShow]

7. "Why...isn't this train being manufactured closer to where it is going to be put in service???"

Why are you assuming that this manufacturing plant is SOLELY to build trains for the NV - CA route and no one else?

Brightline itself apparently selected that company and site.

And since 1/3rd of the U.S. population lives on the East Coast and has the highest density of rail-related public transit (e.g., subways/elevated lines, light rail/trolleys, commuter trains, and of course Amtrak's attempt at "high speed" - Acela), then it makes sense to have these types of facilities "closer" to where the MAJORITY of their products might be deployed in the future.

[Wonder Why]

8. First, the onetime cost of transporting the trains by train is miniscule as compared to the cost of designing and

building them.

Second, railcar-building companies don't build plants for one order. They hop that the area where the plant is will be ideal for other localities to make it worth their while and the northeast has the highest concentration of intercity rail in the country.

Third, they tend to build where the trained (no pun intended) employees are likely to be located. That may be a big reason for choosing the NY/PA location.

[travelingthrulife]

9. Although the 15 corridor from Las Vegas to San Bernardino is horrendous

on the weekend. Won't Las Vegas be a ghost town at some point in the future with climate change? I suppose it was easiest to clear a path there.

[jmowreader]

10. I REALLY can't figure out Siemens

Amtrak uses the Siemens ACS-64 locomotive in the Northeast Corridor, which is all the trackage between Washington and Boston. They make it in California and get it to the East Coast by hooking the new locomotives to the end of the eastbound California Zephyr.

Why in Cthulhu’s Name would you build a train for California in New York when the company that makes it has a factory in California?

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Apparently one is a subsidiary of the other

and specialize in different types of rail car manufacturing (I had actually looked them up this morning and saw a mention of the 2 Siemens).

Plus you also have what I and another posted about upthread - there is more density of rail infrastructure and need on the east coast versus the west coast, so putting something here in the east will inevitably be used for orders more in the east than the west (especially since the east coast has almost 3 times the population of the west coast).