Brightline West: Connecting Las Vegas to SoCal

Published: January 14, 2025

Traveling between Southern California and Las Vegas has long been a popular journey for tourists, business travelers, and residents alike.

With millions making the trek each year for entertainment, gambling, conventions, and family visits, the route is heavily trafficked, typically via Interstate 15 or by air.

However, a new option is on the horizon — Brightline West. This proposed high-speed rail line promises to connect the Los Angeles region with Las Vegas, offering an efficient, eco-friendly, and exhilarating alternative to current modes of transportation.

The Vision of Brightline West

Brightline West initially began as DesertXpress back in 2005, navigating various developers and investors along the way. In September 2018, it was acquired by Fortress Investment Group, which also owns the popular Brightline service in Florida, the sole privately operated inter-city rail system in the U.S.

Furthermore, there’s an ongoing consideration to extend the route from Victor Valley to the California High-Speed Rail station in Palmdale.

In its current form the system is intended to connect Las Vegas Valley with Rancho Cucamonga in the Greater Los Angeles area, via California's high desert. Once completed, it will link up with the existing Metrolink San Bernardino Line at the Rancho Cucamonga station.

In December 2023, it received a significant boost when the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded it a $3 billion grant under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Initially, construction was set to kick off shortly after the grant in 2023, but it officially began on April 22, 2024. The 218 mile line is expected to be up and running by 2028.

The plan envisions a high-speed rail line with trains traveling at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, drastically reducing the travel time to about 2 hours and 10 minutes, as opposed to long, traffic-laden car rides of 4 hours to LA or the hassle of airport security and wait times.

Estimating the Impact

The benefits of Brightline West are multifaceted, influencing economic, environmental, and social spheres. Key stakeholders expect significant positive ramifications:

Economic Growth

1. **Job Creation**: The construction and operation phases of the Brightline West project are anticipated to result in thousands of jobs, ranging from construction roles (of up to 18,000 during its peak) to permanent employment within the rail service and related sectors, such as hospitality and tourism.

2. **Tourism Boost**: With easy access to and from major hotspots, this rail line is projected to bolster tourism. Las Vegas stands to gain visitors from Southern California, who might otherwise not make the trip as frequently due to the inconvenience of current travel options.

3. **Property Value Rise**: Improved infrastructure generally leads to increased demand for real estate. Communities connected or near the line may experience appreciation in property values due to enhanced connectivity.

Environmental Benefits

1. **Emission Reduction**: High-speed trains are more energy-efficient than both cars and airplanes. By reducing the number of vehicles on the roads, particularly in the high-volume Las Vegas weekend traffic, Brightline West can potentially curb greenhouse gas emissions significantly.

2. **Sustainable Practices**: The project plans include leveraging renewable energy sources to power the trains, in line with growing environmental awareness and responsibility.

Social Improvements

1. **Greater Accessibility**: The new rail line promises improved accessibility for those who do not drive or prefer not to fly, broadening travel options for both leisure and business purposes.

2. **Enhanced Quality of Life**: Reduction in travel stress and time means a better quality of life for commuters, visitors, and residents who can enjoy more time at their destination and less in transit.

Planning and Development

Brightline is not just an ambitious project but also a technically challenging one. It involves rigorous planning, cutting-edge technology, and massive cooperation among various entities. Here are some crucial components of its planning and development phase:

Route and Stations

The plan is to lay the tracks in the median of Interstate 15, except for a small stretch connecting to Rancho Cucamonga and a segment on the eastern side of the highway as it nears the Las Vegas station.

Some parts of the track will traverse federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.

Although the initial vision was for a fully double-tracked railway along the entire route, Brightline aims to start with a mostly single-track line that includes passing sidings, partly because more sections have been moved into the highway median, where space is tighter.

Initially, the route didn't reach Los Angeles due to the prohibitive cost of constructing railroads in urban settings. The 50-mile extension from Victor Valley to Palmdale—where it would connect with the developing California High-Speed Rail system to facilitate Los Angeles service—was not part of the initial phase.

However, in June 2012, plans changed to include the Victor Valley to Palmdale link in the project's first phase, with passengers transferring to Metrolink to connect to Los Angeles. Key stations will include reach Palmdale, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, and Las Vegas.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Brightline West will utilize some of the latest advancements in rail technology:

For conquering steep inclines on the proposed route, the trainsets will need a strong power-to-weight ratio – tackling grades as steep as 4.5% between Victorville and Las Vegas, and hitting up to 6% through Cajon Pass.

The Velaro series, developed for Germany’s high-speed rail, can handle grades up to 4% like those on the Cologne–Frankfurt route. This climbing ability surpasses the European Union's Technical Specifications for Interoperability, which call for a maximum grade of 3.5%.

Until the summer of 2024, Brightline was in talks with Alstom and Siemens Mobility to source rolling stock for their service and other future routes.

By May 2024, Siemens emerged as Brightline’s chosen train supplier for their Brightline West service. The first order includes 10 seven-car American Pioneer 220 trainsets, designed to carry between 434 and 450 passengers.

The American Pioneer 220, an adaptation of the Siemens Velaro Novo high-speed electric multiple unit, is slated for service. Brightline will be the first to use the Siemens Velaro Novo platform, which has been trialed in Germany via the ICE-S train and boasts a top speed of 225 mph.

This service will deploy up to 25 train pairs, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour (320 km/h) and running at 45-minute intervals. The Siemens train stock will be built at a new facility located in Horseheads, New York.

The Future of U.S. Transportation?

High-speed rail in America has been an elusive goal, often stymied by various hurdles such as cost, politics, and competing interests with established transportation industries. However, Brightline West could serve as a catalyzing force for broader changes to come in American travel infrastructure.

Examining Precedents

Brightline’s existing operations in Florida have showcased the potential for successful high-speed rail in the United States. In April 2024, Brightline carried 223,117 riders in the Sunshine State, which was a 48% increase from the previous year. The lessons learned in Florida provide a relevant, adaptable model for the Las Vegas to Southern California route.

Changing Travel Dynamics

As trends shift towards greener and more efficient travel, projects like Brightline West are ideally positioned to meet these emerging needs. By offering a viable alternative to road and air travel, such initiatives could herald the beginning of a new era in domestic transit.

Conclusion

Brightline West represents more than just another transportation line; it symbolizes a shift in how Americans might travel in the future.

If successful, it could prove to be a template for future high-speed rail projects across the country, with the power to redefine mobility, fostering significant benefits that extend well beyond the tracks.

From economic advancement and environmental sustainability to improved personal well-being, the potential impact of a high-speed rail link between Las Vegas and Southern California is extensive.

By blending vision, technology, and collaboration, Brightline West can pave the way for a more connected, greener, and prosperous era of travel in the United States. As plans continue to develop, the world is watching as America steps closer to a future of rapid and responsible transit.