USA: Siemens Mobility officially opened its $220m passenger rolling stock manufacturing and rail services centre in Lexington, North Carolina, on April 3.
The greenfield construction of the compnay’s second US rolling stock plant, after its Sacramento facility, was announced in March 2023. Construction was launched in August of that year.
Rolling stock production at the site is already underway, with the first locally-built Siemens Venture passenger coaches for Amtrak’s Airo push-pull fleet expected to be delivered this summer.
The site will also house Siemens Mobility’s US east coast rail services hub, which will undertake the maintenance and overhaul of locomotives, coaches and bogies, with the potential to support light rail vehicles in the future.
The company said the site would leverage advanced digital technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, real‑time analytics and augmented reality to streamline operations, enhance decision‑making and ‘set a new global benchmark for automated manufacturing’.
The state of North Carolina is providiang a 12-year Job Development Investment Grant. More than 375 employees have been hired, and there is a commitment to create 500 jobs by 2028.
North Carolina ‘is a hub for innovation and a leader in advanced manufacturing and the clean tech economy’, said Governor Josh Stein. ‘Siemens Mobility’s new facility will create more than 500 good-paying jobs in Davidson County and strengthen our state’s economy by nearly $1·6bn over the next decade. This investment is a win for the entire state of North Carolina, and it strengthens our leadership in shaping the future of passenger rail in America.’
US Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury said ‘Siemens Mobility’s investment in North Carolina manufacturing underscores the importance of rebuilding America’s transportation infrastructure here at home. The impact of this facility will be felt for decades, supporting passenger rail services like Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and helping deliver modern, reliable trains for travellers nationwide.’
Federal Railroad Administrator David Fink added that ‘America is building again. Siemens’ new North Carolina plant showcases America’s investment in building a world-class rail system that will be a critical piece of the American economy.‘
