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Siemens Wins Contract to Build New Engines, Cars For Amtrak

Siemens will build 83 dual-powered trains for Amtrak that will be used on the Northeast Corridor and state-supported services. 

Siemens Wins Contract to Build New Engines, Cars For Amtrak

By Railfan & Railroad Staff

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has tapped Siemens Mobility, Inc., to build up to 83 dual-power train sets for the Northeast Corridor and state-supported services across the country, the railroad announced Wednesday. The new trains will replace Amtrak-owned Amfleet, Metroliner and state-owned equipment across the country, equipment that is now nearly 50 years old. 

Among the routes that will get the new equipment will be the Northeast Corridor, Adirondack, Carolinian, Cascades, Downeaster, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield Service (Amtrak Hartford Line and Valley Flyer), Pennsylvanian, Vermonter and Virginia Services. 

“These new trains will reshape the future of rail travel by replacing our aging 40-to-50-year old fleet with state-of-the-art, American-made equipment,” said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn. “This investment is essential to preserving and growing our Northeast Regional and state-supported services and will allow our customers to travel comfortably and safely, while deeply reducing criteria pollutants.”

Siemens has become the preferred builder for Amtrak in recent years. The Siemens Chargers have become the preferred locomotive on state-supported services and the company is currently building a fleet of ALC-42 for Amtrak’s long-distance trains

The deal announced Wednesday is worth $7.3 billion and includes the purchase of equipment and a long-term parts supply and service agreement. Some of the trains, including those used on Empire Service in New York, will be battery-powered. 

“These new trains, some of which will be our first hybrid battery operations in the United States, will transform the way Americans travel. Offering a more sustainable and comfortable travel experience, they will be built for excellence and built with pride in Sacramento, California,” said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Mobility, Rolling Stock in North America. “Over the past decade, we’ve worked closely with Amtrak and its state partners to develop and deliver trains that meet the needs of America’s travelers. These next-generation train sets build on that experience and offer much more.”

The new equipment is expected to be delivered to Amtrak during the second half of this decade.

This article was posted on: July 8, 2021