CHICAGO (AP) -- Siemens will build 32 diesel-electric locomotives for high-speed rail projects in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
The company announced Tuesday it had won a $225 million contract and will deliver the first of the cleaner-burning, faster locomotives by 2016.
Illinois led the procurement for the next-generation equipment for it and four other states: California, Washington, Michigan and Missouri.
Illinois has been overhauling its cross-state Amtrak route from Chicago to St. Louis to boost speeds to 110-mph.
The Charger locomotives will be built at Siemens' rail manufacturing plan in Sacramento, Calif.
The lighter weight locomotives can operate at speeds up to 125 mph.
The multi-state deal includes options for 225 additional locomotives.
The routes are part of President Barack Obama's effort to expand high-speed rail.
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