California approves Siemens AP220 trainsets for its high-speed rail network

The California High-Speed Rail Authority approved the contract on 28 October 2026, covering the manufacture, delivery and commissioning of three Siemens American Pioneer 220 (AP220) trainsets, together with spare parts and ten years of maintenance services. The approved contract budget totals USD 772.1 million (approximately EUR 694 million). This comprises USD 281.7 million for the three trainsets, USD 284.1 million for initial spare parts, service mobilisation and maintenance, and USD 206.3 million in provisional allowances for testing, price escalation, currency fluctuations and other costs. An additional USD 63.7 million has been allocated for import duties and tariffs outside the contract value. The agreement also provides options for up to 19 additional trainsets, provisionally priced at USD 62.1 million each, assuming continuous production in the same configuration. Maintenance can be extended in five-year increments from the initial ten-year period to a maximum of 30 years. Seven-car Velaro Novo derivatives Siemens will supply its American Pioneer 220, a US version of the Velaro Novo high-speed platform. Each seven-car electric multiple unit will be approximately 202 metres long, accommodate at least 450 passengers and have a maximum design speed of 354 km/h. The trains will use distributed traction with a rated power of 8,200 kW. Their lightweight aluminium construction, regenerative braking and aerodynamic design are intended to reduce energy consumption, while the fully enclosed underbody protects equipment from ballast impacts. The initial three trainsets will feature a standard 2+2 seating layout, reclining seats, power and USB-C connections, Wi-Fi and accessible toilets. The modular interior permits future changes, including catering facilities, premium accommodation and bicycle spaces. Two trainsets can operate coupled as a 14-car formation. Initial manufacturing and factory testing will take place at Siemens facilities in Germany. The procurement schedule envisages factory testing from May 2029, shipment towards the end of that year and testing on California's high-speed infrastructure from spring 2030. First services planned in the Central Valley The initial trainsets are intended for the Merced–Bakersfield section, where the authority is developing the first operational part of California's high-speed railway. Passenger services are targeted by 2033, subject to completion of infrastructure, systems integration, testing and regulatory approval. The trainset contract follows the award of the track and systems contract in June 2026. Construction continues on the initial 191-kilometre Central Valley alignment, with more than 145 kilometres of guideway completed. Separately, the authority approved the environmental documentation for the approximately 48-kilometre Los Angeles–Anaheim section. This completes project-level environmental clearance for the entire 795-kilometre Phase 1 route between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Anaheim. The approval does not mean construction or funding has been completed across the full route.