Trials are expected to begin early next year on the northern section of the route between King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh and Medina with the aim of launching public services by the end of 2015.

Talgo is supplying 36 of the 320km/h trains to Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO), one of which will be a royal train. Each set will seat up to 417 passengers and trains will be capable of operating in multiple.

The trains are being built at Talgo's Las Matas facility near Madrid.

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