Saudi Arabia: The contract for the supply of the rolling stock to the national operator Saudi Arabia Railways, SAR, has been signed between the Spanish manufacturer and the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services. Talgo notes that the €1.3 bln order will bring its backlog to around €6 bln, a record for the company.
The future rolling stock is designated for the Haramain high-speed line of 453 km connecting Mecca and Medina. 35 Talgo 350 trains are now serving the route, operating at speeds up to 300 km/h.
The contract also covers the maintenance of the whole fleet of 55 trainsets through 2033, with an option for extending the term through 2038. Currently, Talgo is in charge of two maintenance facilities in Saudi Arabia with 270 employees.
The new vehicles are to have the same technical specifications as the deployed Talgo 350s. Each trainset will consist of two powered head cars (electric locomotives) and 13 passenger coaches providing 417 seats for passengers in two classes. To withstand a harsh desert climate, the rolling stock will be fitted with advanced air-conditioning and filtration systems, preventing the ingress of sand.
