Talgo breaks Iberian gauge speed record

A Talgo Avril unit hit 360 kilometres per hour between Ourense and Santiago on Wednesday, breaking the speed record on the Iberian gauge. Hitting this speed was part of commission and certification process of 15 new train sets.

The speed is all the more remarkable, as trains capable of running on tracks with variable with are currently limited to 250 kilometres per hour. On the 1,668mm-Iberian gauge, this limit is 220 kilometres per hour. The Talgo Avril, however, will hit speeds op up to 330 kilometres regardless of track gauge. Because of this flexibility, the train will bring high-speed services to areas where the standard-gauge high-speed net work has not been built yet.

After the tests on the Ourense-Santiago de Compostela high-speed line are finalised, the train will continue trial runs on other Spanish sections on track. The Talgo Avril consists of 12 cars for a total length of 200 metres. It seats a maximum of 581 passengers.

Further reading:

• Talgo bags Egyptian order for new night trains
• Renfe considering penalty for Talgo following delayed delivery of trains