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
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie