SCHUMER ANNOUNCES SIEMENS TO BUILD NEW, HIGH-SPEED RAIL MANUFACTURING FACTORY IN UPSTATE NY, CREATING UP TO 300 NEW GOOD PAYING JOBS BUILDING FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND HIGH-SPEED TRAINSETS FOR AMERICA

Press Release

Following his relentless advocacy for Upstate NY, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced that Siemens Mobility has heeded his calls and will build its first-of-its-kind high-speed rail manufacturing facility in Horseheads, New York, creating approximately 300 new good-paying jobs producing America’s fastest high-speed trainsets, the American Pioneer 220, for Brightline West, that will connect Las Vegas to Southern California.

“America’s high-speed rail future will be built in Upstate NY. Siemens’ investment in Upstate NY 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 & 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 NY,” said Senator Schumer. “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, powered by union workers here in Upstate NY.”

The new manufacturing facility will span nearly 300,000 square feet, with an estimated $60 million in new investment creating approximately 300 new good-paying 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. Schumer explained Siemens will build its AP 220, which are designed for operational speeds of up to 220 miles per hour, at this new Horseheads facility. The propulsion system, lighter weight, and aerodynamic shape make it more efficient than other high-speed trains.

The seven-car trains will carry up to 450 passengers and are expected to make the trip from Las Vegas to Southern California in two hours—half the time it takes by car. The Brightline project is a $12 billion public-private partnership with Nevada DOT to build a Las Vegas-to-Los Angeles high-speed rail system and broke ground earlier this year. According to Siemens, production at the facility is expected to begin in 2026.

After the announcement in May of this year by Brightline West that Siemens Mobility had been selected as its preferred bidder to produce trainsets for this high-speed line, 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.

Schumer added, “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.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) recently announced a Voluntary Recognition Agreement and has reached a memorandum of understanding with Siemens to represent employees who will build the future trains for this project. Schumer said IAM’s union presence in Upstate New York is strong and they are the best in the business and uniquely prepared to manufacture these trainsets.

Schumer has been a relentless champion for improving America’s rail systems and bringing manufacturing to Upstate New York thanks, most recently, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law. The bill makes the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, with over $66 billion in new investment. That investment includes $30 billion to Amtrak and in FRA competitive grants to modernize the Northeast Corridor, $16 billion to Amtrak to modernize its national network, supporting the procurement of new rail cars for the national network, and $12 billion in competitive grants for states to compete to expand their intercity passenger rail networks.

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