MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - German technology giant Siemens is to supply trains
for the first high-speed railway in the United States.

The company was selected as the 'preferred bidder,' meaning final
contract negotiations are now under way, Siemens announced in the
early hours of Thursday.

Specifically, it involves the delivery of 10 trains that will connect
Las Vegas and Southern California at speeds of more than 350
kilometres per hour. Travellers should be able to travel from Las
Vegas to the Los Angeles area, a distance of about 440 kilometres,
in less than two hours.

Several global companies had applied for the tender.

The company is proud to have been selected as the preferred bidder
'to build and maintain America's first true high-speed train, the
American Pioneer 220,' said Siemens Mobility chief executive Michael
Peter.

The trains will be 'a sustainable alternative to air travel. When it
goes into service, it will be one of the most significant moments in
the history of American railways.'

The train will be a further development of the Velaro platform used
in Europe, which is also the basis of the current high-speed
intercity trains (ICE).

Provided the contract is successfully concluded, the trains will be
built in the US.


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