Talgo Gifts 250km/h Coach to Chesterfield

Talgo UK and Chesterfield Borough Council have been working together to build up Talgo’s presence in the city. The Spanish rolling stock manufacturer recently established the Head Office of Talgo UK in Chesterfield and it also has ambitions to build an ‘innovation centre’.

Talgo established Talgo UK to build modern trains in the UK for both the domestic market and for export. In addition to its Chesterfield site, Talgo UK also wants to build a big manufacturing plant in Scotland.

With these two aspects of the project well under way and with an anticipated framework agreement between Talgo UK and Chesterfield Borough Council, Talgo UK has gifted a high-speed rail coach to the site for training and educational purposes. The 250km/h coach is equipped with Talgo’s unique ‘Rodal’ technology. The basic design of the coach is flexible, with some examples having been upgraded for use on Spain’s 330km/h very-high-speed rail network.

Carlos de Palacio, President of Talgo, said:

“I am delighted to deliver a high-speed present from Spain today. This is part of Talgo’s plan to generate better understanding of Talgo’s technologies that are being used around the world, but which have so far eluded the UK.

“Talgo’s strategy of ‘true manufacturing’ – and not relying on brainpower or kits of parts from elsewhere – requires that innovation and Research and Development takes place in the host country.

“I hope that it is not long before we see the next generation of Talgo’s products built in the UK, with technical knowledge and innovation being provided by a team headquartered in Chesterfield, and drawing on the knowledge and expertise of the whole UK.”

The Rodal is a crucial component of the running gear on Talgo trains. Talgo UK recently donated a Rodal to the National College of Advanced Transport & Infrastructure (formerly the National College of High Speed Rail).

Talgo’s system gives trains independent wheels and guided axles. This enables a huge reduction in weight and energy savings and also reduces wear and tear on the track. Talgo is bringing its technology to UK to boost R&D in the country. Chesterfield will be a key location in these efforts.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:

“Today’s event and the gifting of the Talgo high-speed technology vehicle, symbolises the culmination of our efforts over the last 2 years as part of Talgo’s ‘All Britain Strategy’.

“I am extremely pleased that Talgo remains committed to Chesterfield and shares our ambitions to maximise the opportunities presented by unprecedented growth in the rail sector and transformational infrastructure projects, including HS2.

“I am delighted to announce that in February Chesterfield Borough Council expects to enter into a framework agreement with Talgo UK.

“The agreement will recognise the recent establishment of Talgo UK’s Headquarters here at Barrow Hill and will set out the milestones for the delivery of an Innovation Centre from where Talgo will develop its ‘All Britain Strategy’.

“Talgo’s proposals for the Innovation Centre follow a major piece of collaborative work, involving key partners including Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield College, The University of Derby, Newcastle University’s NewRail and Midlands Rail Forum.

“We have worked together in commissioning Focus Consultants and Maber Architects to progress a feasibility and RIBA stage 2 design study, bringing us closer to realising the ambition of DRIIVe (Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle). DRIIVe encompasses a modern rail innovation and training centre that will deliver over 3400sqm of floorspace, 190 jobs and a complete pathway of rail provision from level 2 through to level 7 for 1800 learners over 10 years.

“We are very grateful to Talgo for donating this piece of equipment and look forward to seeing it being used as an aid for learning.”

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