The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced a notice of intent to award a contract to Siemens USA to supply 35 diesel-electric locomotives for Midwestern and west coast states.
Siemens will design, build and deliver the locomotives on behalf of the California, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Washington transportation departments.
All the locomotives and component parts will be manufactured in the US, creating and retaining jobs in the country.
In compliance with the latest Federal Tier 4 emissions standards, the new locomotives allegedly move at a maximum speed of 125mph.
IDOT stated that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has allocated $808m for manufacturing the next-generation passenger rail equipment including, about 35 new locomotives and 130 bi-level rail cars.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "This award creates jobs, spurs economic growth and further lays the foundation for a sustainable, long-term passenger rail network in the United States."
Siemens Rail Systems in the US president Michael Cahill said: "We look forward to building the most energy-efficient, advanced technology, diesel-electric locomotives in North America at our solar-powered transportation manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California."
Siemens is currently manufacturing 70 Amtrak Cities Sprinter locomotives to replace the rail operator’s existing electric locomotives that have been in operation for more than 25 years.
The locomotives will soon operate on Northeast Regional trains at speeds up to 125mph on the Northeast Corridor and on Keystone Service trains at speeds up to 110mph.
