A new rail manufacturing and services center in Lexington, N.C., by Siemens opened this week.
Government officials and rail industry leaders gathered at Siemens Mobility’s newest facility to celebrate the completion of construction and the start of production. The first passenger coaches the facility produces are on-track to be delivered this summer, officials said.
Siemens said the $220 million facility will play a critical role in meeting growing demand for passenger rail across the United States. Initially announced in March 2023, the facility now covers 200 acres and includes 10 buildings. The facility is the first in North America to offer both coach and locomotive overhauls.
“Our $220 million investment in Lexington reflects our long-term commitment to American manufacturing and to the communities that help power our industry,” Tobias Bauer, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America, said. “By creating more than 500 skilled jobs and expanding our U.S. production and service footprint, we are bringing advanced rail manufacturing closer to our East Coast customers while strengthening support for partners across the country. With a truly end-to-end rail portfolio built in America, we are well positioned to help shape the next chapter of American rail.”
Officials said the facility will create more than 500 jobs by 2028 and will grow the state’s economy by $1.6 billion over 12 years. The facility is dedicated to manufacturing Siemens Venture passenger coaches, and serving as the company’s East Coast rail services hub which will support maintenance and overhaul work for bogies, locomotives, and coaches. Plans include the potential to support light rail vehicles in the future.
Officials said that once the plant is fully operational, it will be the first in North America to offer both coach and locomotive overhauls and to leverage advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, real-time analytics and augmented reality, to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and set a new global benchmark for automated manufacturing.
“Siemens Mobility’s investment in North Carolina manufacturing underscores the importance of rebuilding America’s transportation infrastructure here at home. The impact of this facility will be felt for decades, supporting passenger rail services like Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and helping deliver modern, reliable trains for travelers nationwide,” U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury said.