Siemens announced Dec. 14 that its first Brightline trainset, comprised of two locomotives and four coaches adorned in Brightline Blue, is complete and has left the company’s manufacturing hub in Sacramento, Calif.
The first trainset is approximately 489 feet long and is being transported across the country via rail, journeying 3,052 miles from Sacramento to Florida. Construction on the first car shell began in July 2015. Four additional trainsets for Brightline’s first phase are being built at Siemens. Brightline expects delivery of these additional trainsets in four additional bright hues: pink, red, orange and green, by the end of March.
Brightline’s trains are built as integrated trainsets, comprised of two diesel-electric Siemens Charger locomotives and four stainless steel coaches. Siemens says "these clean diesel-electric locomotives will meet the highest emissions standards set by the federal government. The integration improves ride quality and makes for a much quieter ride. There is a locomotive on each end, for high reliability and redundancy." A Cummins QSK95 high-speed (1,800-rpm) EPA Tier 4-compliant diesel engine powers each Charger locomotives
The trainsets, 100% Buy America compliant, are being built by 1,000 employees at Siemens' 60-acre rail manufacturing hub.
“Having our first Brightline trainset completed and on its way to Florida is a major accomplishment and brings us one step closer to the introduction of our innovative new train service,” said Michael Reininger, president of Brightline. “Once in Florida, our operations team will begin the required testing as we ready to launch Brightline between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach next summer.”
“Building the first full trainset for Brightline is an extremely exciting milestone both for future riders in Florida and also for the many professionals who worked hard at our Sacramento manufacturing hub,” said Michael Cahill, President of Siemens Rolling Stock. “Building these trainsets utilized the latest in modern manufacturing techniques, a vast supply chain and leveraged the best in Siemens engineering and manufacturing know-how. We are all extremely proud to see the first one come to life and make it one step closer to ushering in a new era of modern transportation in Florida.”
Florida East Coast Industries subsidiary All Aboard Florida developed and will operate the Brightline service, using shared right-of-way with the Florida East Coast Railway.