Amtrak is planning to bring a more reliable and energy efficient service to the northeast, according to BreakingTravelNews.com. The first of 70 advanced technology electric trains being built by Siemens are coming off of the assembly line today.
The trains will be field tested this summer for use in the fall. The order has a cost of $466 million.
"The new Amtrak locomotives will help power the economic future of the Northeast region, provide more reliable and efficient service for passengers and support the rebirth of rail manufacturing in America," Joseph Boardman, the CEO and President of Amtrak, said. "Built on the west coast for service in the northeast with suppliers from many states, businesses and workers from across the country are helping to modernize the locomotive fleet of America's Railroad."
The Amtrak Cities Sprinter locomotives are being assembled in Siemens' Sacramento, California, rail-manufacturing plant using innovative and proven rail technology. The manufacturing plant itself is powered by renewable energy, and the trains are being built with parts from the company's plants in Norwood, Ohio, Alpharetta, Georgia, and Richmond, Virginia, from approximately 70 suppliers that represent more than 60 cities and 23 states.
The new trains will operate at speeds up to 125 mph on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) along the Washington - New York - Boston route and on Keystone Service trains that travel at speeds of up to 110 mph on the Keystone Corridor, which travels from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"More and more Americans are parking their cars and choosing the comfort and convenience of trains, metros and streetcars as their preferred way of traveling," Michael Cahill, the president of Siemens Rail Systems division in the U.S., said. "We're proud of the innovations we've brought to passengers and commuters to expand their transportation options.
"From downtown streetcar systems to regional, passenger rail lines, Siemens' transportation solutions like the next-generation Amtrak locomotives enhance safety, boost efficiency and performance, and are built in America leveraging Siemens' U.S. manufacturing hubs and supply chain."
The new trains are designed to be easier to maintain and to improve energy efficiency by using a regenerating braking system that feeds energy back into the power grid, enhancing mobility for the people and businesses in the northeast region. They also meet the latest federal rail safety regulations.
"We are committed to connecting people, communities and jobs," Karen Hedlund, the Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator, said. "Investing in manufacturing these 70 new locomotives are creating and preserving jobs in 60 cities across the country while meeting the growing demand for improved reliability and service along the Northeast and Keystone corridors."
The new trains are part of Amtrak's plan to modernize and expand its equipment, replacing electric trains that have between 25 and 35 years of service and average mileage of more than 3.5 million miles traveled.
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