Siemens will build 32 diesel-electric locomotives for high-speed rail projects in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
The German 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.
