Spanish rail operator Renfe has awarded a €787m contract to Talgo for the supply of 15 high-speed Avril trains and fleet maintenance for a 30 year period.
The contract includes an option to buy a second set of 15 additional units and to extend the maintenance for a further ten years. Talgo plans to deliver the first batch in 36 months.
Each of Talgo’s Avril trains will have a maximum commercial speed of 330km/h and a total passenger capacity of 521 seats.
By choosing these trains, Renfe plans to establish a fleet ready to improve its offering along the Mediterranean coast and to cross the Pyrenees to serve destinations in France.
Avril units manufactured by Talgo will have 1.5kV and 3kV DC, plus 25kV 50Hz AC electrification systems and several signalling systems.
Talgo president Carlos Palacio said: “By choosing Avril, Spain and Talgo will reinforce their position worldwide as reference of quality in the very high-speed market.
“With the liberalisation of the European market, rail operators will be forced to reduce their operating costs and the ratio of investment cost per passenger.”
Avri trains are the result of eight years of engineering and a total investment of more than €50m, and will be equipped with Talgo’s automatic variable-gauge system.
They will serve routes both along high-speed and conventional lines, and reduce travel times between northern Spain and the rest of the country.
Image: Talgo’s Avril can offer the maximum capacity in a single deck train. Photo: courtesy of Talgo SA.
