A cadre of executives from Spanish train manufacturer Talgo will reportedly visit Australia in June to pitch to state governments 200km/h train services between Australian cities.
According to the Australian Financial Review, the executives will pitch Talgo’s technology which allows trains to switch between different track gauges, and between electrified and diesel operation, without stopping – a feature which should appeal to Australian governments looking to boost regional rail operations.
The report, which cites Talgo Asia Pacific regional director Alejandro Gomez Perez, was conducted during a press tour facilitated by the Spain Australia Council Foundation.
Perez reportedly said, “We don’t know the market in Australia so we need to be cautious,” but indicated Talgo planned to meet with state governments in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth next month.
Talgo wanted to take part in the New South Wales Regional Rail contract, but didn’t qualify, Perez reportedly believes because the company is not well known by Australian governments.
The company is yet to establish a permanent footprint or workforce in Australia, but sees Australia’s desire to put fast trains on complex and diverse networks as an opportunity.
The Federal Government is spending $20 million to develop fast rail business cases for fast rail between Sydney and Canberra, Melbourne and Greater Shepparton, and Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
We have had a 200 kph passenger train in Australia since 2004. TransWA Prospector is a non-tilting train between Midland and Kalgoorlie that can achieve that speed where that track conditions are suitable. “It is all about the tracks”.
In 1959, the original Shinkansen trains in Japan ran at 200 kph.
Later tricks like tilting the trains has allowed them to increase the operation speeds around curves. 320 kph is achieved on the straight sections of their track.
Good luck. Aero and road lobby will ensure it will never happen.