The Spanish train manufacturer showcases its capabilities for entering the Australian market to participants in the Leaders Program.
With more than 80% of its business generated from international markets, Talgo is closely following developments in Australia and the government’s plans to upgrade the country’s rail network. The Leaders had the opportunity to learn about the company, the solutions it could offer Australia, and its manufacturing facilities, as well as the advantages of its locomotives and rolling stock, which are lighter and more comfortable than those of many competitors.
The Leaders were welcomed by Talgo’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, Alejandro Gómez Pérez, accompanied by the company’s Communications Director, Fernando Puente; Head of Commercial Projects for Asia-Pacific, Alberto Carles; and Project Manager, Víctor Rodríguez.
Together, they reviewed the company’s 76-year history and focused on the technological features that could be particularly beneficial for Australia. These included independently rotating wheels on each axle, which reduce track wear; adaptability to non-electrified lines and sections; a tilting system that allows higher speeds on curves; lighter and more sustainable train construction; and a gauge-changing system that enables trains to switch track gauges without stopping.
“All of these measures can reduce travel times by up to 38% without requiring investment in new infrastructure,” explained Víctor Rodríguez. For Australia specifically, the company has conducted computer simulations on the Sydney–Canberra route, indicating that journey times could be reduced by 35%, bringing the trip below three hours. Simon Ormsby showed particular interest in the simulation and asked about the parameters used in the calculations, as well as any potential challenges. “The key factor,” Rodríguez noted, “is being able to increase speeds on curves without compromising passenger comfort.”
The meeting also examined Talgo projects that could have applications in the Australian market. Alejandro Gómez highlighted the Berlin–Moscow rail service, which operates under three different regulatory systems and “may have certain similarities with Australia and its different states.”
Talgo’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific also discussed the dual-gauge trains used in Spain, designed to operate with different track gauges and electrification systems at speeds of up to 250 km/h. Simon Ormsby pointed to several locations in Australia where such technology could be particularly useful.
The Spanish company’s objective is precisely to improve service quality without requiring major infrastructure investments. Rather than introducing high-speed rail, Talgo proposes solutions for conventional rail services that allow higher operating speeds without significant changes to existing infrastructure.
The Leaders were also interested in Talgo’s strategy for entering the Australian market. “We first want to ensure that we fully understand the country’s needs,” said Alejandro Gómez. “We can offer short-term solutions that help build long-term relationships. We believe Talgo can be a strong partner for Australia in its transition towards high-speed rail.”
The meeting concluded with a tour of the company’s facilities, where the Leaders observed vehicle maintenance and repair operations—another of Talgo’s key services—as well as train manufacturing and assembly. Among the trains under construction were the final units for the Makkah–Madinah high-speed rail line in Saudi Arabia, one of the flagship international projects involving Spanish transport and infrastructure companies.
