Saudi Arabia Railways fleet outfitted for ETCS Stage 2 on the Riyadh – Dammam foremost line.
SPANISH rolling inventory and signalling provider CAF has introduced that the primary prepare to be fitted with ETCS onboard gear has entered passenger service with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) on the Riyadh – Dammam foremost line.
This follows two years of design, testing, certification and coaching, with work to retrofit CAF’s Auriga ETCS system undertaken by the producer at SAR’s prepare overhaul facility in Riyadh.
ETCS gear is being fitted to the 12 diesel push-pull trains equipped by CAF to SAR in 2011 for the Riyadh – Dammam line. The fleet of six trains later equipped by CAF for the Riyadh – Qurayyat line have been delivered with ETCS Stage 2 already put in. Each fleets are maintained by CAF beneath a five-year contract price €200m that was awarded in 2022.
Involving “a multi-million Riyal funding” by SAR, based on CAF, on-train fitment represents a key first step in upgrading the Riyadh – Dammam line, the place the introduction of ETCS Stage 2 will cut back delays and enhance efficiency.
The rolling inventory fitment programme is due be accomplished by the primary quarter of subsequent yr.
“It is a crucial funding for our railway and is a key a part of our modernisation plan for the Riyadh – Dammam railway community,” says Rashed Al Harbi, senior fleet supervisor for SAR’s passenger fleet.
