The rolling stock company’s UK arm recently established its head office in Chesterfield, and confirmed ambitions to develop an innovation centre, co-located with Barrow Hill Roundhouse. The centre will create 200 jobs.
The company has ambitions for the UK that include not only Chesterfield, but also a major manufacturing plant at Longannet, in Scotland. The two sites will work together to ensure the expertise and knowledge needed to build and export its state-of-the-art trains will be embedded in the UK.
Instead of assembling kits from overseas, the train manufacturer intends to reinvigorate the UK supply chain, and source from it wherever possible. This approach upskills workers, protects jobs, and keeps more money in the local and national economies of the UK.
Now those ambitions are becoming a reality, with an anticipated ‘framework agreement’ between Chesterfield Borough Council and Talgo UK, and the delivery of a very-high-speed rail vehicle to the site for training and education.
The delivery of one of Talgo’s 250kmph coaches, which comes with Talgo’s ‘Rodal’ technology installed was gifted to Chesterfield Borough Council.
Talgo’s basic design is highly-flexible, and the type of coach gifted has been put to use on overnight trains between Paris and Madrid. Other examples are being ‘upcycled’ for use at 330kmph on Spain’s very-high-speed lines radiating from the Spanish Capital.
The ‘Rodal’ forms an essential part of the running gear (the wheels and suspension) on Talgo trains.
The running gear of most trains would be easily recognisable by the railway pioneers of the 19th century, as it retains the same basic features. However, Talgo trains have independent wheels and guided axles. The Talgo system reduces weight, saves energy, and has been proven to reduce wear and tear on the track.
Talgo is bringing its technology to the UK as part of a programme to explain new technologies, to transfer knowledge to the UK and to boost UK domestic capacity for R&D. Chesterfield will play a key part in the process, coordinating efforts across the UK.
A key part of Talgo UK’s strategy is ‘knowledge transfer’ – building UK domestic capacity for R&D. The recent delivery paves the way for the innovation hub - which will act as a focal point for Talgo UK’s R&D, bringing together networks of engineering excellence, and creating new opportunities throughout the British Isles.
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’.
Talgo UK www.talgo.com
