Talgo has secured a serious new contract in Saudi Arabia for the design, manufacture, and upkeep of 20 high-speed trains for the railway line connecting Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. The contract is value EUR 1.332 billion, bringing the Spanish producer’s whole order ebook to round EUR 6 billion, a file stage within the firm’s historical past.
The contract was awarded by means of the Saudi Spanish Practice Challenge Firm (SSTPC) by the Saudi ministries of Transport and Finance, as a part of Part II of the Haramain high-speed line mission.
Enlargement of the prevailing Talgo fleet
The brand new a number of models will be a part of the 35 high-speed trains beforehand equipped by Talgo in 2018 to the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) operator, which at present function on the Haramain line and are already maintained by the Spanish producer.
With this new contract, Talgo will keep a complete fleet of 55 trains till 2033, with the choice to increase the contract till 2038.
Technical traits and capability
The 20 trains could have related specs to these already in operation:
2 traction heads (locomotives)
13 carriages
417 seats, distributed in two courses
devoted areas for catering and passengers with decreased mobility
Talgo trains are designed for business speeds of as much as 300 km/h and are tailored to function in excessive weather conditions, together with excessive temperatures and sand, particular to the desert surroundings.
Elevated demand, particularly throughout the Hajj season
The growth of the fleet comes within the context of a gradual improve in demand for rail transport on the Haramain line, particularly throughout the annual Hajj pilgrimage season, when the variety of day by day companies will increase from roughly 100 to 140 trains per day.
In 2025 alone, roughly 2 million passengers have been recorded on this line throughout the Hajj interval.
Native infrastructure and upkeep
The Haramain line is 450 km lengthy and is constructed to requirements similar to these of the Spanish high-speed community, being outfitted with ERTMS stage 2.
Below the upkeep contract, Talgo operates two upkeep facilities in Saudi Arabia, the place greater than 270 persons are employed.
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