Talgo Wins EUR 1.332 Billion Saudi Contract For 20 Trains

Talgo has been awarded a EUR 1.332 billion contract for the design, manufacture, and maintenance of 20 high-speed trains for Saudi Arabia’s Haramain line. The contract was facilitated through the Saudi Spanish Train Project Company (SSTPC) and awarded by the Saudi ministries of Transport and Finance. This procurement is a component of Phase II of the Haramain high-speed line project, which connects the cities of Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah.

The new order will increase the total number of Talgo-supplied high-speed trains on the line to 55. This builds upon an initial delivery of 35 trains to the operator, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), in 2018. The new multiple units will be constructed with specifications similar to those of the existing fleet, ensuring operational consistency and integration.

The agreement includes a long-term maintenance provision. With this contract, Talgo’s maintenance responsibility extends across the entire 55-train fleet until 2033. An option exists to further extend the maintenance agreement to 2038. To support these operations, Talgo currently runs two maintenance centers in Saudi Arabia, employing a workforce of more than 270 people.

Fleet expansion is driven by a measured increase in passenger demand on the 450 km Haramain line. During the annual Hajj pilgrimage season, operational frequency escalates significantly, with daily services rising from approximately 100 to 140 trains per day. The line recorded approximately 2 million passengers during the Hajj period in 2025 alone.

The rolling stock is engineered for the region’s extreme climatic conditions, specifically high ambient temperatures and the presence of sand. The trains are designed for a commercial operating speed of up to 300 km/h. The Haramain line itself is built to standards comparable to the Spanish high-speed network and is equipped with an ERTMS level 2 signaling system.

The delivery of these 20 additional trains will provide SAR with the necessary capacity to manage sustained traffic growth. The integrated manufacturing and long-term maintenance contract solidifies Talgo’s operational footprint in the Middle East’s high-speed rail sector.