USA: The first of the additional Venture trainsets which Siemens Mobility is building for the second phase of Brightline’s Miami – Orlando inter-city service was unveiled at the manufacturer’s Sacramento plant on September 28, with a ceremony attended by California’s state Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Formed of four fully-accessible stainless steel coaches top-and-tailed by Tier 4 compliant Charger diesel locomotives, the 200 km/h Venture trainset will shortly be dispatched to the operator’s maintenance hub at West Palm Beach for testing and commissioning.
Brightline services between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, but the company expects to resume operations in November. It is hoping to open additional stations at Boca Raton and Aventura in the second half of 2022.
Siemens Mobility supplied an initial build of five four-car trains in 2016 to operate the first phase, as part of a framework agreement covering up to 10 seven-car sets. The additional units are needed to operate the 275 km northern extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport.
Brightline reports that infrastructure works on the extension are now more than 60% finished and on track for completion before the end of 2022. The project includes upgrading and double-tracking of the existing Florida East Coast Railway between West Palm Beach and Cocoa for 125 km/h mixed-traffic operation and the construction of a 60 km passenger-only line suitable for 200 km/h between Cocoa and Orlando International Airport. Discussions are already underway with local stakeholders regarding potential extensions to Disney Springs and Tampa.
According to the operator, the privately-promoted inter-city service ‘has been an economic boon for the state of Florida’, generating benefits valued at more than US$6·4bn. Brightline Florida is predicted to create more than 10 000 jobs over the construction period and the first few years of operations.
Fiona Ma pointed out that the Siemens-Brightline partnership was also ‘a huge win for the state of California, bringing the future of green manufacturing and good paying jobs to our communities. The completion of these trainsets is not only a big step towards developing high speed rail in the US, but also proves that California is capable of achieving tangible progress on climate and creating new manufacturing jobs today—not years from now.’
‘Brightline’s partnership with Siemens demonstrates our company’s commitment to building both a robust domestic manufacturing sector and the future of green transportation’, agreed Michael Reininger, Chief Executive Officer of Brightline Holdings. ‘Our partnership should serve as a powerful example of how we can break through the inertia and into an era of high speed rail in America.’
‘Brightline is a pioneer in private rail investment in the United States and we are proud to continue to grow our partnership as we ship the latest trainsets to Florida’, added Michael Cahill, President of Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock in North America. ‘The Venture trainsets are a result of our collaboration and will offer a comfortable and enjoyable passenger experience.’
Siemens Mobility is also in discussion with Brightline Holdings over the supply of technology for the planned Brightline West high speed line connecting Las Vegas to the greater Los Angeles region. This line is expected to be operated by ‘fully electric, zero emission trains’, offering both economic and environmental advantages, the promoter explained.
