Siemens Mobility has been awarded a $281.7 million contract to supply three American Pioneer 220 (AP220) trainsets for the California High Speed Rail project’s Initial Operating Section between Bakersfield and Merced. The contract also includes a $284.1 million maintenance and full service agreement for the years 2030 to 2040. Additionally, a $206.3 million allocation covers testing, cost escalation, foreign exchange, taxes, and related expenses associated with the contract.
AP220 Trainsets Technical Specifications
The AP220 trainsets belong to Siemens Mobility’s Velaro Novo family and will be constructed in Germany. These aluminum-bodied trains are designed to meet US federal Tier III crash and fire safety standards,
enabling operation at speeds up to 354 km/h (220 mph). They are engineered to perform reliably on routes featuring long climbs, tunnels, and altitudes reaching 1,400 meters. Each trainset delivers 8.2 MW of power through distributed propulsion and includes batteries to maintain emergency propulsion and air conditioning during power outages. The seven-car, 202-meter-long trains can operate in pairs.
Delivery Timeline and Project Scope
The California High Speed Rail Authority anticipates delivery of the initial three trainsets by the end of 2029. Testing is scheduled to begin in spring 2030, ahead of the targeted opening of the 275-kilometer Initial Operating Section between Bakersfield and Merced in
2033 or 2034. The contract includes options to acquire up to 19 additional trainsets at approximately $62.1 million each. The maintenance agreement, based on monthly payments linked to train availability and reliability, has optional extensions up to a total of 30 years.
Passenger Amenities and Interior Design
The AP220 trains provide at least 450 reclining seats arranged in a 2+2 configuration with a 990 mm pitch. Every seat has access to power outlets and USB-C ports. Each coach includes an accessible toilet. The interior design supports modularity for future changes, such as alternative seating layouts, designated family and bicycle areas, and food service options. Siemens
Mobility controls costs by using standard configurations with limited customer-specific modifications mainly involving livery, colors, and certain materials.
Contract Context and Related Projects
The California High Speed Rail Authority dropped federal Buy American requirements in August 2026, allowing procurement of German-built Siemens trainsets. Siemens Mobility had been prequalified alongside Alstom for the project’s rolling stock contract. In a related development, Siemens Mobility was awarded a contract in May 2024 to supply and maintain ten seven-car AP220 trainsets for Brightline West, a 351-kilometer high-speed route connecting Las Vegas with Rancho Cucamonga near Los Angeles.
