High-speed rail production facility coming to Horseheads, N.Y.

Horseheads, N.Y., will be the location of the high-speed rail production facility that will produce the American Pioneer 220 high-speed trains that will operate on Brightline West’s Las Vegas, Nev., to southern California line. Located in the southern tier of the state, Horseheads was selected for its skilled workforce, industrial history and ability to best meet the needs of Brightline West. Production at the facility is expected to begin in 2026.

When fully operational, the new manufacturing facility will span nearly 300,000- square feet and create around 300 jobs in the southern tier – including electro-mechanical assemblers, quality management, quality control, industrial production and test engineers, project management, supply chain management and logistics employees.  

“America’s high-speed rail future will be built in Upstate New York. Siemens’ investment in Upstate New York 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 and 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 New York,” said U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “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. 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 New York.” 

Brightline West selected Siemens Mobility to build train sets for the Brightline West high-speed rail project that will connect Las Vegas and southern California in under two hours. Brightline West notes the selection was based on specific criteria that included price, manufacturing schedule, train performance (e.g. speed and travel time), ADA compliance, passenger amenities and total passenger capacity. The trains will be built in accordance with all applicable Buy America requirements. 

Once Siemens Mobility was selected to build the train sets for the project, Schumer wrote to Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton, urging Siemens Mobility to consider Upstate New York as a site for its next trainset production facility. In his letter, he highlighted the importance of selecting a site that had an existing manufacturing base with competence in the transportation industry. 

“Siemens Mobility is an excellent addition to the outstanding manufacturers already in this region and I am thrilled they heeded my call to come to New York and will join the railcar 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,” Schumer said. 

The train is an ultrawide body train, designed to meet the needs of passengers today and into the future. According to Siemens Mobility, 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.  

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. 

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 says it contributes to the power of connection, jobs and investment in America, with more than 2,000 suppliers across the U.S. Siemens Mobility also has a memorandum of understanding in place with the International Association of Machinist for union representation at the new site.  

“This is an exciting time not only for us at Siemens Mobility, but for the rail industry as a whole,” said Michael Peter, CEO, Siemens Mobility. “This new facility in Horseheads, N.Y., marks the beginning of a brand-new industry in the USA – bringing both high-speed rail production and some of the world’s most modern trains to the continent for the first time. Designed with the latest digital twin technology and leveraging world-class digital rail solutions, the New York-built American Pioneer 220s feature cutting-edge advancements, including a revolutionary gearless propulsion system that reduces energy consumption by 30 percent and allows it to climb effortlessly at steep grades.” 

“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 kilometers away from the rail line is just the starting point,” said Michael Reininger, CEO, 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 300 kmh (186.4 mph), these trains will be marked by the latest innovations designed for the modern traveler and establishing a new benchmark in transportation.”