Missouri and Illinois receive money to purchase trains

Washington D.C. (KSDK) - Missouri and Illinois are among states receiving money from the federal government to purchase next-generation trains U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, announced Wednesday.

Missouri, Illinois, California, Iowa and Michigan will receive $336.2 million to buy the American-made trains that will run on rail corridors through those states. The money is part of $10.1 billion that the Obama Administration has invested to lay the groundwork for an intercity passenger rail network.

LaHood says this decision is all about job creation. The Obama Administration estimates this will pump more than $75 million into the domestic manufacturing industry.

The trains will be designed to travel more than 110 miles per hour and will meet the standards of the Next Generation Equipment Committee. LaHood secured a commitment from 30 foreign and domestic companies to hire American workers and locate or expand their base of operation in the U.S. if selected for high-speed rail contracts to provide a boost to the railcar manufacturing industry and create American jobs.

According to Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo, more people are deciding to travel by train.

KSDK