A manufacturer in the Southern Tier is expected to be chosen to build the next generation of high-speed trains for the Northeast as part of a $2.5 billion program, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday.
Amtrak's board of directors at its meeting Tuesday is expected to authorize contract negotiations with Alstom in Steuben County, the New York Democrat said. That contract would create an estimated 400 jobs at Alstom in Hornell and potentially more across upstate New York.
Schumer was visiting Hornell Monday to talk about the anticipated Amtrak board decision. He noted that final contract details haven't been settled.
Alstom employs more than 1,000 people in New York, including 500 currently in Hornell, where the factor has made rail cars for more than 150 years. It's part of a France-based global enterprise.
A company spokesman said Monday they appreciate Schumer's support but declined to discuss what's still an open Amtrak procurement.
