Egypt’s national railway company ENR has awarded the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo a contract for the supply and maintenance of six latest-generation Talgo trains (worth almost 158 million euros).

These are for the country’s main route, which connects Alexandria in the Mediterranean with the capital, Cairo, and the southern city of Aswan.

The contract was awarded after an open competitive process in which some of the world’s leading manufacturers of railway rolling stock participated.

Talgo (www.talgo.com) will supply six complete trains, composed of a diesel-electric locomotive, a power carriage and 14 passenger carriages.

The order also includes maintenance of the trains for at least eight years, using local labour trained by Talgo.

Operating at a maximum speed of 160kph, the trains will accommodate 492 passengers — split between first and
second class.

With its headquarters in Spain, Talgo is a global company operating in more than 44 countries, with a permanent industrial presence in North America, Europe and Asia. It aims to deliver the trains to ENR in 2021 and 2022.