With parts from nearly 250 suppliers, Alstom trainset production creates 1,300 new jobs
HARVEY, Ill. – The Amtrak partnership with Alstom to produce
the next generation of Acela trains to move customers at higher speeds and
more comfort between Boston and Washington is also boosting businesses
nationwide. Today, Amtrak and Alstom thanked workers at LB Steel in Illinois for
building wheel assemblies (known
as “bogies” or “trucks”) and other components.
“While these new trains will provide world-class
accommodations for customers traveling in the Northeast, this production will
benefit communities across the country by creating jobs and stimulating local
economies,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President Roger Harris, who led the visit
to the factory south of Chicago. “The fastest trains in the hemisphere – at
speeds up to 160 mph – will ride on the work done here in Harvey at LB Steel.”
Alstom is using parts manufactured by nearly 250 suppliers
in 27 states, with 95 percent of the components produced domestically. More
than 1,300 new jobs will be generated in nearly 90 communities across the
United States to support production, including the creation of new, sustainable,
high-tech, engineering and manufacturing jobs in New York.
“We are proud to have been selected by Amtrak, not only to
design and build the new Avelia Liberty high speed trainsets, but also to
provide long-term technical support, and supply spare components and parts for
the maintenance of the new trains.,” said Michael MacDonald, Site Managing
Director for Alstom in Hornell, N.Y., who also participated in the news event
south of Chicago. “Alstom is partnering with suppliers across the country for
this project, and the emergence of a high-speed rail manufacturing industry
here in the U.S. is becoming a reality.”
The trains are being produced at Alstom’s Hornell facility, which
is undergoing a massive investment and transformation to build the 28
high-speed trainsets for Amtrak. One of three new structures has been built to
accommodate fleet manufacturing and testing and a new bridge has been built to
extend the site’s current test track to accommodate higher speeds.
The new trains are scheduled
to enter service in the Northeast Corridor in 2021 and will accommodate nearly
25 percent more customers while continuing the spacious, high-end comfort of
the current Acela service that customers enjoy today. Each train will
feature modern amenities such as improved Wi-Fi access, personal outlets, USB
ports and adjustable reading lights.
The new Acela trains are part of an Amtrak plan to modernize and upgrade our fleet. Last year, Amtrak refreshed the interiors of the current Acela trains and Amfleet I railcars and announced plans to acquire 75 new locomotives for Amtrak’s long distance and state-sponsored services. This year, Amtrak performed similar work on Amfleet II railcars and announced plans to start next year to refresh Superliner cars used on long distance services. Refreshing of Horizon railcars in the Amtrak MidwestSM network is also now underway with state partner support.
Photos of the of the next generation Acela trains are
available in the Amtrak
Media Center.
Partial list of other suppliers:
| Supplier | State | City | Component |
| ABB Power Transformers | Va. | South Boston Richmond | Main transformer, battery chargers |
| Bode Doors | S.C. | Spartanburg |
Cab access door, vestibule & gangway door |
| Centum Adetel Transportation Solution | Wisc. | Pleasant Prairie |
Public announcement & passenger information system |
| Eaton | Mich. | Horton | Tilting system |
| Wabtec Faiveley Doors | N.Y. | Plattsburg | Access door system |
| Gessman | Conn. | Shelton |
Master controller, power car driver pedal |
| Hoppecke | N.J. | Cherry Hill | Batteries |
| Kelox IRT USA* | Penn. | Chambersburg | Café & catering area |
| Knorr Brake | Md. | Westminster |
Train brake control, brake actuators, air generation & treatment unit |
| Merrill Technologies* | Mich. | Saginaw |
Power car bodyshell (including painting) |
| Seisenbacher Rail Interiors Inc.* | N.Y. | Rochester | Luggage racks & stack |
| Thermo King | Neb. | Hastings | HVAC systems |
| Transitair Systems** | N.Y. | Hornell | Bogie assembly & testing |
| UTC* | Penn. | Morton | Wheelsets, bogie gear box assembly |
| Voith Couplers | Penn. | York | Front coupler |
| Wabtec |
S.C. Md. |
Piedmont Germantown |
Pantograph, Event recorder |
*Small Business Enterprise **Disadvantaged Business Enterprise