Alstom Releases ‘HSR in America’ Webpage

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
image description

Assembly line, Ottawa Project, Alstom, Hornell, NY, USA. Feb. 4-5, 2016

Alstom recently made its new High-Speed Rail (HSR) in America webpage live on its U.S. website, showcasing the company as “the first manufacturer of HSR trains in the U.S. out of Hornell, N.Y.”

Built with Alstom’s “proven high-speed rail technology” currently operating in 25 countries around the world, the Avelia Liberty high-speed train, built in partnership with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), is specifically designed to “responsibly accelerate the future of American rail travel,” according to the newly launched webpage.

According to the webpage, the Avelia Liberty can reach speeds up to 200 mph with its articulated structure and concentrated traction. Alstom’s tilting technology, Tiltronix, the company says, also allows the train to run up to 30% faster on curves.

Alstom’s Avelia Liberty

“High-speed trains capable of operating at 220 miles per hour, are no longer an aspiration,” said President, Americas Region, Alstom Michael Kéroullé. “Alstom is building them today, right here in the U.S. Our innovative high-speed rail technologies and manufacturing process are specifically designed to safely accelerate our economy and create long-term American jobs.”

According to the webpage, Alstom has invested more than $66 million in places like Hornell, N.Y., the largest passenger transit manufacturing plant in North America. “Not only have we brought this center of excellence to be built right here at home, by American labor, but we’ve invested in a community that has a proven record of bringing real, high-speed rail to Americans who rely on rail transportation for work, travel, and recreation,” the company stated.

President, Americas Region, Alstom Michael Kéroullé

“When you build high-speed equipment domestically, you drive American jobs here at home. Our investments have yielded the creation of hundreds of jobs, including 400 right in Hornell, N.Y.”

The Hornell Industrial Development Agency issued the following statement:

“Building the Avelia Liberty locally resulted in public and private investments worth $200+ million in the City of Hornell. This means new housing, hotels, and restaurants, and the preservation of the local hospital, all infrastructure that is critical to this community of 8,000 people who exemplify the soul of America. There’s no reason to go anyplace else. Towns like Hornell, N.Y. with American labor have proven they can and have built the engine that drives America forward.”

According to the webpage, more than 60% of the value of high-speed train flows to suppliers, so the company says it is “creating a sustainable and diverse high-speed rail chain in the U.S.” Alstom says it has invested more than $590 million with 170 suppliers in 27 states, benefitting more than 90 communities across the country. Nearly 40% of this spend, Alstom says, is with Small Business Enterprises (SBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE).

Tags: ,