KEITH FENDER PROFILES THE SPANISH TRAIN MANUFACTURER LOOKING TO GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN BRITAIN
TRACTION & ROLLING STOCK SPECIAL
The announcement by HS2 Ltd in early November of the shortlisted bidders for the HS2 train manufacture and maintenance contract would not have come as much of a surprise to regular Modern Railways readers (p8, last month). Siemens, Alstom, Bombardier and Hitachi are all well known as high-speed train builders in Europe and beyond.
The fifth company shortlisted, Spanish firm Talgo, would perhaps have been more of a surprise, as outside its home market it has historically not been known as a high-speed manufacturer. However, this is changing, as the company is currently building the largest high-speed export order anywhere in Europe, if not the world – the 350km/h Haramain trains for the new Mecca to Medina high-speed line in Saudi Arabia.
Having bid for the HS2 contract, Talgo has been evaluating its options for manufacture and maintenance in the UK, and recently appointed UK rail veteran Jon Veitch as Key Account Manager for the UK and Ireland. Mr Veitch and his Spanish colleagues have embarked on a series of introductory meetings with local government and development agencies in several parts of the UK.
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