According to an article in the Railway Gazette, Talgo (www.talgo.com) — a Spanish manufacturer of inter-city,standard and high-speed passenger trains — has shortlisted the port of Mostyn in north Wales as one of six potential sites for its proposed UK rolling-stock manufacturing plant.

The other sites are St Helens, Leeds and Chesterfield in northern England, plus Hunterston and Longannet in Scotland. A decision on a preferred site is expected next month, although a final go-ahead would depend on the company obtaining an initial order.

It is reported that Talgo has been shortlisted for the bid to supply ‘at least’ 54 ‘classic compatible’ 360kph trains for Phase 1 of HS2 between London and the West Midlands, based on its Avril concept.

However, the company said the UK plant could also be used to manufacture rolling stock for other domestic applications, as well as exports, augmenting the capacity of its two existing facilities in Spain.

Talgo said it was looking to enter the UK train market through “true manufacturing”, sourcing components from within the UK rather than assembling kits from elsewhere, adding that it believes this would “grow the UK’s manufacturing capability, strengthen supply chains, create more jobs and boost local economies”.

The company anticipates that a UK manufacturing plant could generate up to 1,000 jobs.

President Carlos de Palacio said: “There can only be one factory site, but we have developed excellent relationships with the areas that we have visited. We anticipate continuing these relationships to ensure that Talgo provides opportunities across the UK.”

The Welsh government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Transport, Ken Skates, said he was “hopeful’ that Talgo would choose Mostyn, adding that north-east Wales had a huge amount to offer.