Siemens Venture

Siemens Venture is a type of locomotive-hauled passenger railroad car built by Siemens Mobility for the North American market. The cars are derived from the Siemens Viaggio Comfort cars used in Europe, with adaptations for North American operations. The cars entered service with Brightline in 2018 and with Amtrak Midwest (services funded by Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin) in 2022. They have also been ordered by Amtrak for national and other state-supported routes (including those in California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maine, Virginia, North Carolina, and Vermont), Canada's Via Rail, and Ontario Northland. The Venture cars will also be used on Amtrak’s Airo trainsets.

Siemens Venture
A Siemens Venture railcar in Amtrak California San Joaquins livery.
Siemens Venture railcar outside of the manufacturing facility in Florin, California
The interior of a Siemens Venture trainset operated by Brightline in Miami.
Interior of a Siemens Venture car operated by Brightline.
In service2018–present
ManufacturerSiemens Mobility
Built atFlorin, California
Number built937 cars (includes cars on order; see Operators section for details)
Capacity
  • Business: Up to 54
  • Cab (Economy): Up to 62
  • Economy: Up to 74
Specifications
Car length85 ft (25,908 mm)
Width10 ft 6 in (3,200 mm)
Height14 ft (4,267 mm)
Platform height
  • Level boarding: 48 in (1,219 mm)
  • Step boarding: 8 in (203 mm)
Entry
  • Level (Brightline)
  • Level and step (other operators)
Wheelbase59 ft 6 in (18,136 mm) between truck centers
Maximum speed125 mph (201 km/h)
Weight112,000 lb (50,802 kg)
Coupling systemJanney Type H Tightlock
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Notes/references
[1][2][3][4][5]

History

The Venture dates to 2014, when All Aboard Florida purchased five trainsets for its new Brightline service along with ten Siemens Charger SCB-40 diesel-electric locomotives. They were built at the Siemens factory in Florin, California, starting in July 2015. The first trainset was completed in December 2016.[6] Public operations began on January 13, 2018.[7][8]

A test train in California in July 2020

In November 2017, a coalition of states with state-supported Amtrak routes ordered 137 Venture railcars through its contractor Sumitomo Corporation.[9] The order included seven trainsets for California and 88 cars for Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri (Amtrak Midwest) as married pairs and single coaches.[10] The Ventures were the coalition's second passenger railcar order; the first order of Next Generation Bi-Level Passenger Rail Cars was cancelled after the prototype, built by Sumitomo's subcontractor, Nippon Sharyo, failed a buff strength test in August 2015. The first three Venture cars entered testing in February 2020. They were originally planned to enter revenue service in July 2020[11] but were delayed, not making their first run until February 1, 2022, on a Lincoln Service train.[12]

On December 12, 2018, Canada's national passenger rail service operator, Via Rail, announced that it was purchasing 32 Venture trainsets to replace the entire fleet used on its Québec City–Windsor Corridor.[13] The first trainset was delivered for testing in 2021.[14] They are expected to enter service in 2022–2024.[15]

In August 2019, the state of Wisconsin used a Federal Railroad Administration grant to purchase six Venture coaches and three cab cars.[16][17] The six coaches will be added to the Amtrak Midwest pool while the three cab cars will be used exclusively for Hiawatha Service trains.

In April 2021, Amtrak announced that they will be ordering 83 trainsets to replace the aging Amfleet I fleet and Metroliner cab cars.[18][19] The contract was signed in July 2021 and includes 20 years of after-delivery service and support.[20][19][21] On October 13, 2023, Siemens unveiled their Venture car prototype for the new Amtrak Airo equipment.[22]

Operators

Most Siemens Venture cars (except those for Amtrak Midwest) are configured as semi-permanently coupled trainsets with open gangways between cars and standard couplers on the ends for connecting the trainset to locomotives or other railway equipment.[4]

Owner Qty. Notes
Amtrak 156 26 six-car trainsets, will include a cab car and catenary power car.
256 32 eight-car trainsets, will include a cab car and catenary power car.
102 17 six-car trainsets, will include a cab car and battery car.
Amtrak Cascades 48 8 six-car trainsets, will include a cab car.
Amtrak Midwest 97 34 married pairs, 26 single cars, 3 single cab cars.
Amtrak San Joaquins 49 7 seven-car trainsets, will include a cab car.
Brightline 60 10 six-car trainsets.
Ontario Northland 9 3 three-car trainsets, will include a cab car.
Via Rail 160 32 five-car trainsets, will include a cab car.
Total 937

Amtrak Cascades

Amtrak has ordered eight six-car Venture trainsets for the Cascades service. They are replacing the Talgo Series VI trainsets, which the NTSB recommended be replaced "as soon as possible" after the 2017 Washington train derailment.[23][24][25] Until the Venture trainsets arrive, Amtrak has been using its Horizon fleet on the route.[26]

Each trainset will consist of five coaches and one cab car. Trains will also have a café for food service along with coach and business class seating. They will be paired with one of WSDOT's Siemens Charger locomotives. The first trainset is scheduled be delivered in 2025 and enter revenue service in 2026 after final commissioning.[27]

Amtrak Midwest
A line of Amtrak Midwest Siemens Venture cars in Chicago's 14th Street Coach Yard.

Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin have ordered 97 Venture cars for the Amtrak Midwest routes including Blue Water, Hiawatha Service, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg, Lincoln Service, Missouri River Runner, Pere Marquette, and Wolverine.[17] Of the 97 cars, 68 are built as married pairs (two cars semi-permanently coupled with open gangways) while the remaining 29 are single (unmarried) cars with traditional gangways. Half of the married pairs (17) have a café car and an economy coach, while the remaining 17 have a combination business class/economy class coach and an economy-only coach. The business class and café cars have two vestibules each, while the economy coaches have one.[28] This arrangement—unique among Venture operators—allows trains to be sized to meet the travel demands of individual routes and allows business class seating and cafe cars to be added or removed. Among the 29 single cars are three cab cars with economy seating for exclusive use on Hiawatha Service trains.

Amtrak Northeast Corridor

Amtrak has made a firm order for 75 trainsets, which it will brand as the Amtrak Airo,[29] for intercity routes that operate over its Northeast Corridor.

The trainsets will be built in three configurations, tailored to the capacity and propulsion needs of the routes over which they will operate. All trainsets will include an ALC-42E Charger locomotive on one end of the consist and a cab control passenger car on the opposite end. Onboard, there will be a car with a food service area and a mix of Coach Class and Business Class seating.[30] The initial order for 65 trainsets was later increased to 75 in August 2023, with an option to purchase additional trainsets in the future.[31]

There will be 26 six-car catenary-diesel dual-power trainsets that will include an Auxiliary Power Vehicle (APV). The APV will be the trailer car closest to the locomotive and will include a pantograph, an underfloor transformer to handle the Northeast Corridor's 25 kV, 12.5 kV and 12 kV AC catenary power, a four quadrant chopper, and two powered trucks.[32] In electrified territory, the APV will draw power from overhead lines, through the transformer and fed to the four traction motors in the car, and via a DC link cable, to the four traction motors in the locomotive. These trainsets will be used on the Carolinian, Downeaster, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian and Vermonter.[30]

There will also be 32 eight-car catenary-diesel dual-power trainsets, similarly configured, for use on Northeast Regional trains including through trains to Virginia and Springfield, Massachusetts.[30]

Amtrak will also purchase 17 six-car battery-diesel hybrid trainsets, where the trailer car closest to the locomotive will have batteries to supply electricity to traction motors in the locomotive when operating around New York Penn Station, eliminating the need for third rail propulsion on the Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, and Maple Leaf.[30]

Amtrak San Joaquins
Low-platform boarding door on Siemens Venture coach built for state corridor service

The California Department of Transportation has ordered seven Venture trainsets for the San Joaquins service with seven cars each: four coaches, two coaches with vending machines, and one cab control passenger car. Two cars per trainset will have built-in wheelchair lifts for compatibility with the low platforms used in California. The cab car and two other cars per trainset will have one vestibule per car, while the remaining cars will have two vestibules each.[28] The San Joaquins service does not offer business class seating.

Brightline
Siemens Venture trainset operated by Brightline at MiamiCentral station

Brightline has received 10 Venture trainsets consisting of four cars: three with economy seating (branded "Smart Service") and one with business class seating (branded "Premium Service", formerly "Select"). Each trainset has two Siemens Charger SCB-40 diesel-electric locomotives, one on each end.[33][34][35] Each trainset currently has a capacity of 248 passengers.[36] Premium Service coaches have fifty 21-inch-wide (530 mm) seats in a 2×1 layout, while Smart Service coaches have sixty-six 19-inch-wide (480 mm) seats in a 2×2 layout.[37][38]

Brightline purchased five trainsets for its initial service between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Five more trainsets were purchased ahead of the lines extension to Orlando and additional stations opening in Aventura and Boca Raton. An additional 20 cars were purchased to expand the trainsets. They will be expanded to five car sets in 2024 and six car sets in 2025.[39] Brightline has said that it plans to eventually expand the trainsets to ten cars.

Ontario Northland

In December 2022, the Government of Ontario and Ontario Northland announced a CA$139.5 million investment to reinstate the Northlander passenger service between Timmins and Toronto. The government announced that it had ordered three, three-car trainsets (two coaches and a cab car) with a food service area, which would be paired with a Charger locomotive.[40][41]

Via Rail
A Venture cab car of Via Rail

Via Rail purchased 32 five-car trainsets for its Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. Each trainset will have two business class coaches, two economy class coaches, and one cab control car with economy seating.[42] However, Via Rail says that the configuration is flexible and the railroad may operate shorter or longer trains depending on demand.[43]

Each trainset will be paired with a Siemens Charger SCV-42 diesel-electric locomotive.[42] All seats will be 19 inches wide, with a 2×1 layout in business class and 2×2 in economy class. All cars will be semi-permanently coupled with open gangways which compared to the current fleet are wider and isolated from weather.

Some cars have a galley area, allowing for at-seat food and beverage service across both classes.[43]

References
  1. "Venture Trainsets Brochure" (PDF). Siemens Mobility. 2021.
  2. "Charger Locomotive Brochure" (PDF). Siemens Mobility. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  3. Siemens Mobility (July 2016). "Brightline Passenger Coaches and PRIIA-Specification" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 30, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  4. Next Generation Equipment Committee (February 2018). "Caltrans/ IDOT New Single-Level Passenger Railcars "CALIDOT"" (pptx). Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  5. Next Generation Equipment Committee (February 2019). "Caltrans/ IDOT New Single-Level Passenger Railcars "CALIDOT"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. Hurtibise, Ron (December 14, 2016). "First All Aboard Florida train finished and ready for testing".
  7. "Happy rails to you: Brightline high-speed trains roll into action". my Palm Beach Post. January 13, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  8. "Brightline slates fares and service date". Railway Age. January 11, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  9. "Caltrans Amends Multimillion Dollar, Multi-State Railcar Contract" (Press release). Caltrans. November 8, 2017.
  10. Siemens Mobility (February 22, 2019). "Caltrans/ IDOT New Single-Level Passenger Railcars: 'CALIDOT'" (PDF). Next Generation Equipment Committee – 2019 Annual Meeting. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
  11. Gradinger, Kyle; Tamaoki, Momoko (February 21, 2020). "Multi-state Single Level Rail Cars Procurement Updates" (PDF). California Department of Transportation Division of Rail and Mass Transportation. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  12. "News photo: First revenue run for new Amtrak cars". Trains News Wire. February 1, 2022.
  13. "Via Rail Selects Siemens Canada to Replace its Quebec-Windsor Corridor Fleet". Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  14. "Bombardier hit with 'astonishing' Via Rail blow amid NJ Transit win". BNN Bloomberg. December 12, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  15. Arsenault, Julien (December 12, 2018). "Via Rail places $989-million train order with Siemens for key rail corridor". Financial Post. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  16. "WisDOT awarded federal grant for new passenger train cars". Wisconsin Department of Transportation. August 23, 2019. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  17. "Amtrak Five-Year Asset Line Plans Fiscal Years 2020–2025" (PDF). amtrak.com. p. 33. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  18. "Amtrak Announces Siemens as Preferred Bidder for New Equipment". Amtrak Media. April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  19. Lazo, Liz (July 7, 2021). "Amtrak signs deal for 83 multi-powered trains. Some will replace rail cars that are 50 years old". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  20. "Amtrak To Transform Rail Travel With $7.3 Billion Investment In State-Of-The-Art Equipment". Amtrak Media. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  21. "Siemens Mobility awarded historic $3.4 billion in contracts from Amtrak". Siemens Mobility. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  22. Lustig, David (October 13, 2023). "Siemens debuts first Amtrak Airo passenger car". Trains. Kalmbach Media. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  23. "Public Meeting of May 21, 2019" (PDF). May 21, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  24. Lindblom, Mike (May 22, 2019). "WSDOT to replace its Talgo railcars like those in the 2017 Amtrak crash near DuPont 'as soon as possible'". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  25. Lindblom, Mike (July 7, 2021). "New railcars in the works for Washington state Amtrak trains". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  26. Fesler, Stephen (December 16, 2022). "Amtrak Cascades Unveils Future 'Airo' Trainsets Launching in 2026". The Urbanist. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  27. Lazo, Luz (December 15, 2022). "A first look at the trains that will replace Amtrak's 50-year-old rail cars". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  28. Siemens Mobility (February 22, 2019). "Caltrans/ IDOT New Single-Level Passenger Railcars: 'CALIDOT'" (PDF). Next Generation Equipment Committee – 2019 Annual Meeting. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
  29. "Introducing Our New Trains: Amtrak Airo". Amtrak. December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  30. "Amtrak FY 2022–2027 Asset Line Plan" (PDF). Amtrak. p. 132. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  31. "More Amtrak Airo Trainsets Ordered to Meet Surging Demand". Amtrak Media (Press release). August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  32. Worrell, Carolina (December 19, 2022). "First Look: Amtrak Airo". Railway Age. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  33. "Brightline unveils Siemens locomotives and coaches". Railway Gazette. London. June 8, 2016.
  34. "All Aboard Florida Selects Siemens as Train Manufacturer" (Press release). All Aboard Florida. September 11, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  35. Brinkmann, Paul (September 11, 2014). "Siemens to build All Aboard Florida trains". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  36. Roustan, Wayne K. (May 19, 2018). "All aboard as Brightline launches fast train service to Miami". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  37. "Brightline train service begins in South Florida". WFTV 9. January 11, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  38. "Trains". Brightline. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  39. "Brightline Hits Record 130 MPH, Orders 20 More Cars To Increase Capacity". The Next Miami. March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  40. "Ontario Taking Next Steps to Bring Back Northeastern Passenger Rail". Government of Ontario (Press release). December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  41. MacMillan, Sarah (December 15, 2022). "Province buying 3 trains for return of Northlander service". CBC News. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  42. "VIA Rail New Corridor Fleet" (PDF). Via Rail / Next Generation Equipment Committee. February 21, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  43. "New Corridor Fleet". Via Rail. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
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