European High Speed Train Project in Spain

As the UK considers the implications of replacing the aging high-speed train (HST) fleet, this presentation centres on the latest European high-speed train project in Spain. In September 2001, RENFE (Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Espanoles) placed an order with Siemens Transportation Systems to deliver 16 high-speed trains for the Madrid-Barcelona service. This new fleet of trains will reduce the travel time for the distance of 625 km from Barcelona via Zaragoza to Madrid to less than 2.5 hours. The product developed for Spain is based on the Siemens Velaro high-speed product platform, which in turn is based on the advanced ICE3 train of DB AG, currently the world's fastest train in commercial service. The presentation considers the problems that must be addressed and overcome when implementing high-speed train projects as well as providing an overview of the Velaro E product itself, including a description of technical features. It also provides a glimpse of what the UK should aspire to in terms of high-speed train requirements.