Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir announced Friday that the first Spanish Talgo trains will arrive in Egypt by mid-December.
Wazir’s remarks came during his visit to Spain to tour the factories of the Talgo company, to inspect six new air-conditioned trains being manufactured for Egypt according to a contract between the two sides worth 157 million euros, including maintenance and spare parts.
He was received by Talgo’s Managing Director Gonzalo Fernandez.
He stated that he agreed with Talgo officials to compress the supply schedule for the rest of the trains to arrive successively.
The Transport Minister explained that this type of train is distinguished by a design that grants them stability while traveling quickly in curves, which helps them reduce travel time, in addition to high operating speeds of up to 160 km/h.
The coaches are also made of aluminum, currently used in most trains internationally, which reduces the weight of the train and thus saves on fuel consumed in the journey.
It is also rust-resistant and therefore does not corrode from the water used in the cleaning and maintenance of trains, Wazir explained.
These new trains are expected to provide the highest level of luxury and safety for passengers through capabilities such as places for people with disabilities.
It will also be equipped with a video system to display movies and instructions through display screens for each seat in first-class coaches, and central screens in second-class coaches – in addition to providing the trains with surveillance cameras and a control room.
The Talgo company confirmed that the first train in the deal to manufacture and supply six trains for the Egyptian National Railways is in the final stage of manufacturing, while the second train is in assembly.
The company said that the manufacture of Egypt’s trains is currently taking priority among other trains being manufactured for Germany and Spain.
The Transport Minister said that this deal comes within the ministry’s comprehensive plan to develop its fleet of coaches and trains at the railway facility.
Each of the contracted trains consists of a locomotive, a power car, an air-conditioned buffet car, five air-conditioned first-class coaches and eight air-conditioned second-class coaches.
