Brightline West revealed new renderings of the interiors for its planned high-speed rail service connecting Las Vegas to Southern California. This announcement coincided with the news that the train cars will be manufactured by Siemens Mobility, a German-based company, in Horseheads, an Upstate New York town near the Pennsylvania border.
The renderings showcase the standard coach seating aboard the American Pioneer 220 train. Siemens’ investment in building the manufacturing facility in Horseheads is hailed as a significant step forward for America’s transportation infrastructure. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized this point, noting that production is slated to commence in 2026, following the construction of the new manufacturing plant.
Brightline West chose Siemens for this project after a rigorous multi-year bidding process that saw competition from several global companies. Amit Bose, the Federal Rail Administration Administrator, highlighted that millions of travelers between Las Vegas and Southern California would benefit from the train sets to be built in Upstate New York, also lauding the positive impact on the local community.
The American Pioneer 220 trains are designed to reach speeds of up to 186 mph along a 218-mile route from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, California, closely following the Interstate 15 corridor. This route serves as indirect advertising for the service to commuters frequently stuck in traffic jams on the busy freeway. The trains will make stops in Ivanpah, Apple Valley, and Hesperia before arriving at Rancho Cucamonga, where passengers can transfer to light rail to complete the 37-mile journey to downtown Los Angeles.
Back in April, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas, affirming the project’s timeline to be completed by the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Despite this optimism, concerns remain. A UNLV engineering professor and high-speed rail expert, interviewed by Casino.org in March, cited potential construction obstacles that could derail the project.
Financially, Brightline still needs to secure about half of the $12 billion budget required for the project. So far, the company has received $6.5 billion, including a $3 billion grant from federal infrastructure funds and the go-ahead to sell $2.5 billion in tax-exempt bonds. The company also obtained federal approval in 2020 to sell $1 billion in similar bonds.
Despite the excitement, cost concerns may be a barrier for potential passengers. A round trip ticket is expected to cost more than $400, according to Brightline founder Wes Edens. Adding in light rail travel time, the total journey will still take longer than an average flight from LA to Las Vegas, which typically costs around $75 for a round trip.
High-speed rail projects in the U.S. have historically struggled, often failing due to the cheaper costs of driving and the vast distances between population centers. However, Brightline West has achieved breakthroughs that have brought it closer than any previous American high-speed rail project to becoming a reality.
