Different rolling stock manufacturers are set for a new very-high-speed adventure in the USA: The Southern California – Las Vegas high-speed line. Siemens presents the Velaro Novo in a new trim: the Pioneer 220 Party Train.
Earlier in 2023, we saw Alstom’s Avelia and Siemens’ Velaro Novo in a fictive Brightline trim. Both manufacturers are sharpening their pencils to write their best bidding for Brightline West’s dedicated high-speed line connecting Rancho Cucamonga in California with Las Vegas (travel time around 2 hours and speeds of up to 186 mph). Siemens is taking the next step in its public marketing by launching a new name for its Velaro Novo train, aiming at the US market: The Pioneer 220.
While being a train to set standards for ‘American rail’, it is clear that the Las Vegas contract is currently the train’s primary target. Siemens specifically mentions the steep grades in California where the train can scale at speed. Then there is the party car, ‘ described as a ‘bookable launch car for groups featuring bar and food service and luxurious accommodations.’ With Sin City on board, the argument that travelling by train is time well spent takes on a new dimension…
We see a Siemens Velaro Novo in the colours of the US flag. Siemens emphasizes the trains’ wide-body design with good accessibility to people with reduced mobility, energy efficiency, safety and reduced maintenance costs. It will surely also be part of the bidding for the California high-speed line, as this one will have a cruising speed of 220 mph. Not a coincidence.
Railcolor: The concept still leaves some important questions unanswered: Which coach has the Black Jack coupe? Will Cher be on board? And is Mike Tysen bringing his tigers?
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