Siemens Mobility has been awarded a $281.7 million contract to supply three American Pioneer 220 trainsets for the California High Speed Rail Authority’s Initial Operating Section between Bakersfield and Merced, according to Railway Gazette International. The contract also includes a $284.1 million maintenance and full service agreement for 2030-2040, as well as a $206.3 million provision covering testing costs, price escalations, foreign exchange, taxes and other contingencies. The 275 km section is planned to open between 2033 and 2034.
Trainset Specifications and Manufacturing
The 354 km/h AP220 trainsets will be manufactured in Germany and form part of Siemens Mobility’s Velaro Novo family. These aluminium-bodied
trains are designed to comply with US federal Tier III crash and fire safety standards applicable for operations exceeding 200 km/h. They are engineered for challenging conditions including long climbs, tunnels, and altitudes up to 1,400 meters. Each trainset delivers 8.2 MW of distributed power and includes batteries that provide emergency propulsion and maintain air-conditioning in case of overhead power failures. The trainsets can also be coupled to operate in pairs.
Contract Terms, Delivery, and Testing
The contract sets a 10-year maintenance period based on monthly payments linked to train availability and reliability, with options to extend maintenance in five-year increments up to 30 years
total. Delivery of the initial trainsets is expected starting at the end of 2029, with testing set to begin in spring 2030 ahead of the Initial Operating Section’s projected opening. The agreement includes options to purchase up to 19 additional trainsets at $62.1 million each.
Design Features and Passenger Amenities
Siemens Mobility plans to implement standardized train configurations to manage costs, limiting customization to livery, paint colors, and select materials. Each seven-car trainset will be 202 meters long and feature at least 450 reclining seats arranged two-by-two with a 990 mm seat pitch. Every seat will include power outlets and USB-C ports. Accessibility is addressed
by providing an accessible toilet in every coach. The interior design allows future modifications, including alternative seating arrangements, dedicated family and bicycle areas, and food service facilities.
Background and Related Projects
The California High Speed Rail Authority removed federal Buy American requirements in August 2026, permitting the trainsets to be manufactured in Germany. Siemens Mobility had previously been selected in May 2024 to supply and maintain 10 seven-car AP220 trainsets for the Brightline West high-speed rail project, which will connect Las Vegas with Rancho Cucamonga east of Los Angeles over 351 km.
