Egypt grants Talgo a $286m contract to manufacture 7 luxury sleeper trains

State-run Egyptian National Railways (ENR) has awarded on Tuesday the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo a €280 million ($286 million) contract to manufacture new seven luxury sleeper trains, according to the company’s statement on Tuesday.

Under the contract, Talgo will carry out the maintenance work for a period of 15 years, including availability and supply of spare parts and equipment for trains.

The seven trains will contribute to increase the number of trips on the network lines and stimulating domestic tourism, the statement mentioned.

The Spanish company will build the new rail units at its Alava and Madrid factors, with delivery anticipated to begin in 2024.

Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir has indicated that the new trains will have the highest levels of luxury and modern technology.

Each train will consist 18 cars, including power cart, buffet cart, club car, five first class cars, and 10 second class cars with a total number of 126 cars.

El-Wazir added that it was agreed for Simav company to cooperate with Talgo to localise the sleeper rail industry in Egypt in accordance with the directives of the political leadership.

Moreover, Talgo said that ENR shows its confidence again by this new project, precisely when they have completed the first road tests of the six full-trailed trains for day services, acquired through a previous contract in April 2019.

The new collaboration came as a continuation of huge deals that concluded in light of the directives of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, targeting the comprehensive development of the railway facility to provide the highest levels of service to the public of passengers.