A $226 million contract to build 32 higher speed diesel locomotives, capable of reaching 125 mph, was awarded to the team of the German conglomerate, Siemens AG and Indiana-based engine maker Cummins, Inc over Peoria, Ill. based Caterpillar, Inc.
What made the award to Siemens AG (teamed with Cummins) particularly remarkable was that it was done by the Illinois Department of Transportation on behalf of all five states that are developing high-speed intercity rail routes with Amtrak: California, Washington, Michigan and Missouri, and Illinois.
"Caterpillar's bid featured a locomotive with a 20-cylinder engine, but was priced higher at about $8.1 million per unit, or $260 million," writes Bob Tita. Caterpillar had protested that the $7 million Siemens locomotive "which would be powered with a 16-cylinder diesel engine, couldn't meet the 125 mph requirement, unless it was traveling downhill," adds Tita. IDOT didn't agree.
The locomotives will be purchased with federal stimulus funds provided by the 2009 Recovery Act for the the five states that are developing high-speed intercity rail routes with Amtrak.
As the winning bidder, Siemens also received the right to supply up to 225 additional locomotives, provided state or federal funding is available in the coming years. The additional orders could be worth at least $1.5 billion for Siemens, based on its initial price of $7 million per locomotive.
While Tita and IDOT refer to the 125 MPH, diesel-powered service as high speed rail, it is also termed "higher" speed to distinguish it from 150+ MPH electric service provided by Acela Express on the Northeast Corridor as well as in nations throughout Europe and Asia.
The contract is in addition to the "$500 million on new (electric) locomotives for the Northeast Corridor" awarded to Siemens that we posted last July.
FULL STORY: Caterpillar Loses High-Speed Train Contract
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service