SoCal-to-Vegas bullet train shares renderings of train interiors, including ‘party car’

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Brightline West, the company working to build the nation’s first electric high-speed rail system between Southern California and Las Vegas, has released new renderings that show what its trains might look like when the system is operational.

Images shared on social media Monday showed the sleek interior of new multimillion-dollar train sets that Brightline will deploy when service begins — hopefully — by 2028.

Among the images released by Brightline were renderings of the train’s “party car,” which, in true Las Vegas fashion, showed off plush seats and a modern bar, complete with illustrations of red and white wine.

“With bold fuchsia interiors and a luxurious vibe, it’s the perfect space to kick back, pop some champagne, and enjoy the ride from Vegas to California in style,” Brightline said in its post.

The renderings drew praise from transit activists who lauded the ambitious design and use of the wide-body train cars.

“Being able to travel at 180 mph in a luxurious bar car on your way between Las Vegas and Los Angeles is honestly so much better than anything any airline on this route offers,” wrote Hayden Clarkin, aka “The Transit Guy.”

In addition to the illustrations released, Brightline also celebrated a major milestone that all but ensures high-speed trains will be running on its system in the coming years.

Brightline, alongside U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced plans for a new high-speed train manufacturing plant to be built in upstate New York.

Siemens, the German automotive company that was chosen to build Brightline’s train sets, will open a new facility in Horseheads, New York, where it will build electric trains that are designed for speeds of up to 220 mph.

“The propulsion system, lighter weight, and aerodynamic shape make it more efficient than other high-speed trains,” Brightline said.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stands alongside officials from Brightline West and Siemens as they announce plans to build a new train manufacturing facility is Horseheads, New York. (Brightline West)

Siemens, which also has a manufacturing and testing facility in Sacramento, will be investing $60 million to build the nearly 300,000-square-foot facility in New York state and will hire hundreds of union workers to build Brightline’s train, the American Pioneer 220.

“Bringing high-speed rail to America is no longer a dream, but a reality,” said Marc Buncher, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America. “Continuing our more than four-decade legacy of building trains in America, the American Pioneer 220s will be American-Made in New York by a team of more than 300 skilled team members.”

Production of the new train sets will begin in 2026, officials said.

Siemens is also one of two companies vying for the contract to build the trains used by the California High-Speed Rail.

by: Travis Schlepp

Posted: Sep 10, 2024 / 12:20 PM PDT

Updated: Sep 10, 2024 / 12:20 PM PDT