The first refurbished Alfa Pendular tilting train was handed over to Portugal’s national operator CP by maintenance group EMEF (www.emef.pt/en) on 24 March.

The latter is refurbishing all 10 of CP’s premium inter-city trains, under a contract worth 18 million euros. The six-car trains were supplied in 1999-2000 by a consortium led by Fiat Ferroviaria and are a derivative of its Pendolino family. They are used on Braga-Porto-Lisbon-Faro services at speeds up to 220kph.

EMEF carried out the mid-life re-fit at its main workshops in Entroncamento. In addition to general mechanical and electrical overhaul work, it says that the train underwent “thorough refurbishment to improve passenger safety and comfort”.

New seat shells, foam filling and leather covers have been fitted, along with new lighting; the flooring has been renewed, using cork-based material to improve heat and acoustic insulation; an external redesign has used 2,700kg of paint, while 44km of new wiring has been installed.

The refurbishment was carried out by around 80 staff, with around 90% local content.

EMEF CEO Alberto Castanho Ribeiro said: “This project demonstrates EMEF’s ability to take its place as a lead company that can incorporate the contributions of other sectors of Portuguese industry.”