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Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has obligated $336.2 million in High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program funds to California and Midwestern states to purchase next-generation locomotives and rail cars.

The FRA now has obligated $782 million for rolling stock purchases to California, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Washington. Now that the states have all the necessary funds in hand, they plan to launch a multi-state procurement for passenger-rail equipment that will operate on high-speed and intercity passenger-rail corridors in California, the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

The states plan to purchase a total of 33 locomotives and 120 bi-level passenger cars, including six locomotives and 42 cars for California, seven locomotives and 48 cars for Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Missouri; 12 locomotives and 30 cars for Illinois; and eight locomotives and one trainset for Washington.

Trains will be designed to operate at speeds of 110 mph or higher and meet standards developed by the Next Generation Equipment Committee. The standards will provide rolling-stock manufacturers with “consistent specifications” for all passenger trains in the United States to reduce costs for both suppliers and states, and boost the U.S. rail-car manufacturing industry, according to a press release.

The states plan to issue a request for information later this summer, followed by a request for proposals. The chosen supplier will need to meet Buy America requirements.