XpressWest has
published an extensive "Buy American" plan for most, if not all of their purchases including provisions of their purchases to require their suppliers make or buy goods made within the US. This appears to be their answer to the FRA on the roadblock to lending it the finances to build. It should be interesting to see how the FRA responds. Incidentally, it details the rolling stock sets and time frame.
Interesting counter-move from Xpress West. Could put the FRA and the administration on the spot about whether they are willing to take the political heart and approve the loan. The odds of actually getting the approval? Beats me.
The RIFF loan application gas dragged on for so long, I'm wondering why XW did not do this sooner. My guess is that XW really wanted to get extensive waivers for the Buy America requirements from the FRA, so both XW and the FRA kept talking pass each other. Another possibility is that XW was ok with the loan application process getting dragged out because that provides time for the CA to settle on a Palmdale to Victorville route for the highway and HSR ROW. Shortens the number of years that a Victorville to Vegas HSR line would run before an extension to Palmdale is complete as a large step closer to LA and eventually meeting up with the CA HSR route.
XW is seeking to order 20 eight car EMU trainsets initially. Then 8 more 5 years later. If XW does not team with Amtrak and CA HSR, the smaller order size with long gaps in delivery blocks will limit the number of viable bidders for HSR trainsets.
The XW plan does state for the record that their plan is to eventually extend service to LA. Which will mean running over CA HSR tracks. "Finally, XpressWest expects fourteen (14) additional train sets will be required for the Victorville — Palmdale — Los Angeles extension. This expectation does not presently consider the potential needs required after the California High Speed Rail project connects with XpressWest at the Palmdale station. The total estimate of the XpressWest rolling stock demand is approximately forty-two (42) train sets."