Will Siemens' New American Rail Reduce US Scope 3 Emissions?

As companies try to reduce their Scope 3 emissions, the supply chain has come under sustainability scrutiny.

In a bid to make it easier to reduce emissions whilst delivering goods at speed, Chuck Schumer, alongside Siemens Mobility and Brightline West, will establish North America’s premier high-speed rail manufacturing hub in Horseheads, New York. This state-of-the-art facility, spreading across 300,000sq ft, is designated to craft the first high-speed train in America, the American Pioneer 220, destined to grace the tracks of the Brightline West’s route connecting Las Vegas with Southern California.

“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,” says US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

“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 rail car manufacturing ecosystem right here in the Southern Tier. 

"It’s full steam ahead for America’s high-speed rail future, with every stop powered by union workers here in Upstate NY.”

The undertaking is poised to generate almost 300 roles spanning manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance and testing realms. With a robust investment of US$60m, Horseheads was the ideal choice for its rich industrial legacy, skilled labour pool, and its strategic position in New York’s southern tier. Eager to shrink the distance between Las Vegas and Southern California to under two hours, this rail initiative is on track to commence production by 2026, signalling a transformative phase in U.S. transport manufacturing.

Siemens sets the pace with American Pioneer 220

Siemens Mobility, chosen by Brightline to craft the pioneering train sets, boasts a storied presence in New York State dating back 150 years, to the inception of the first transatlantic telegraph cable. With a significant US$3bn investment in the US over recent years, Siemens sustains a hefty 45,000-strong workforce across 25 manufacturing sites nationwide. Siemens is pioneering on US soil, assembling the sets for the revolutionary American Pioneer 220 train.

“This is an exciting time not only for us at Siemens Mobility but for the rail industry as a whole,” said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.

“This new facility in Horseheads, New York, 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% and allows it to climb effortlessly at steep grades.”

This trailblazing train design emphasises accessibility and environmental consciousness, ensuring seamless mobility for wheelchair users throughout the train and boasting features like high-speed internet and spacious, comfortable seating accommodations, alongside an exclusive ‘party car’ for unparalleled passenger enjoyment.

The transformative potential of US high-speed rail

This venture into high-speed rail marks a pivotal moment, challenging long-held beliefs about the feasibility of such projects in the US. With car travel previously dominating, the success of expansive rail networks in countries like China propels the US towards embracing high-speed rail as a viable, beneficial mode of transport.

China’s vast high-speed rail network, extending across 45,000 kilometres, serves as a testament to the transformative power of rail, enhancing safety, reducing emissions, easing congestion, and improving accessibility. Embracing high-speed rail in the U.S. promises to address pressing issues like rural isolation and connectivity, offering a lifeline to communities cut off from essential services and opportunities.

Moreover, integrating high-speed rail into the US transport fabric can significantly impact societal wellbeing, promoting healthier lifestyles and mitigating the obesity crisis by incentivising walking and reducing car dependency. It similarly addresses the loneliness epidemic by fostering more inclusive, community-friendly urban spaces.

In addition to social and health benefits, the introduction of high-speed rail heralds a bright future for U.S. manufacturing, promising new opportunities and reinforcing the nation's industrial revival.

“For the first time ever in the US we will be manufacturing trains that will compete with the best in the world,“ says Michael Reininger, CEO of Brightline.

“Reaching speeds of over 300 km/h, these trains will be marked by the latest innovations designed for the modern traveller and establishing a new benchmark in transportation.”

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