In response to the federal government’s recent investment in high-speed rail, Siemens Mobility today announced it has taken steps to expand its U.S. manufacturing plant to meet future demand for the trains and rail infrastructure technologies required for the systems. Specific actions taken include the purchase of land for plant expansion and adding power supply from renewable energy sources.
“We applaud the Obama Administration’s commitment to building America’s high-speed-rail system. Siemens is ready to not only bring its proven high-speed-train technology to the U.S. market, but also to build the systems right here in the United States.” said Oliver Hauck, President of Siemens Mobility in the United States.
Siemens makes a line of trains that run up to 220 mph, which are currently operating in Germany, China, Russia and Spain. These trains are a match for the systems proposed for California and Florida. Siemens also produces a line of trains that go between 110 and 125 mph, which would fit the requirements of other high-speed-rail corridors, including the Midwest.
“We can also design and implement rail automation and electrification equipment to move high-speed-rail systems safely, efficiently and with as little impact on the environment as possible,” said Hauck.
To meet the future demand for high-speed-rail technology, Siemens recently completed the purchase of 20 acres of land adjacent to its existing 34-acre, light-rail vehicle manufacturing facility in Sacramento.
“This parcel will be the future manufacturing site for the high-speed trains for the United States. These trains will be built by Americans for the American market,” Hauck said.
The Siemens facility in Sacramento is the only permanent, light-rail vehicle manufacturing facility in the U.S. Siemens employs more than 700 people in this facility, which recently underwent a $26 million expansion. The company is also expanding its solar energy system, doubling the capacity from one megawatt to two full megawatts, which will meet nearly all of the factory’s current power needs and a portion of those required for the manufacture of high-speed trains.
Siemens is the market leader for light-rail-vehicle production in North America with half the market share for those currently being built. Additionally, Siemens manufactured one third of the cars currently in use in 13 cities, including Denver, Charlotte, San Diego and Portland. Siemens also announced last month that it would lead the consortium involved in the $321 million upgrade of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Trans-Hudson’s PATH train system.
Siemens to expand U.S. facility to meet HSR demand
The Sacramento facility, which employs more than 700 people and recently underwent a $26 million expansion, is the only permanent, light-rail vehicle manufacturing facility in the U.S.
More Rail

Amtrak Marks Restoration of Two South Carolina Stations
The Denmark Station $2.3 million construction investment project includes a new 280-foot concrete boarding platform, built eight inches above the top of rail, for improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities and families with small children and much more.
Read More →
NJ Transit, Amtrak Prepare to Open First Track on New Portal North Bridge
The new bridge will begin carrying passenger trains on March 16, replacing a 116-year-old swing bridge that has long caused delays.
Read More →
Caltrain Adopts Corridor-Wide Right-of-Way Safety Strategy
Caltrain and its partners have implemented safety improvements at specific locations in response to known risk conditions, operational needs, and available funding since the agency’s founding.
Read More →
Building a National Framework for Transit Safety and Consistency
On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.
Read More →
FTA Invests $686M to Modernize Aging Rail Stations
Competitive FTA grants will support accessibility upgrades, family-friendly improvements, and cost-efficient capital projects at some of the nation’s oldest and busiest transit hubs.
Read More →
MBTA Updates Rail Modernization Plan to Expand Reliability and Accessibility
The strategy outlines near- and long-term upgrades to ease congestion, support housing growth, and advance statewide climate goals.
Read More →
LA Metro Sets D Line Subway Extension Launch Date
The 3.92-mile addition will soon take riders west beyond its current Wilshire and Western station in Koreatown, continuing under Wilshire Boulevard through neighborhoods and communities including Hancock Park, Windsor Square, the Fairfax District, and Carthay Circle into Beverly Hills.
Read More →
Boston's MBTA Marks Progress in Regional Rail Modernization
The procurement advances the agency's broader efforts to modernize its rail fleet and position Regional Rail for long-term improvement.
Read More →
Amtrak Sets New Course for Long-Distance Fleet Renewal
Under the plan, all long-distance routes will transition to a universal single-level fleet, replacing today’s mix of bi-level and single-level equipment.
Read More →
STV Finalizes Design for First Phase of TriMet MAX Blue Line Substation Upgrades
The milestone is a significant step toward modernizing the MAX Blue Line’s power infrastructure, one of the oldest components of the region’s light rail system.
Read More →
