TALGO has begun on-track tests of its 200m-long 360km/h Avril train on a section of the Madrid - Galicia high-speed line, ahead of launch on Spain’s high-speed network.
The tests will be carried out over the course of several weeks and Talgo says the later stages of the tests could extend to other parts of the Spanish network.
The tests will check the dynamic behaviour of all the elements of the 12-car train - and in particular the running gear systems - under progressively more complex operating conditions and up to a required maximum speed of at least 360km/h.
The tests are the final step in the technical validation of the train ahead of launch into regular service by Spanish national operator Renfe, which initially purchased 15 Avrils under a framework contract awarded to Talgo in November 2016.
A further fleet of 15 trains equipped for cross-border operation were ordered under the same contract in May 2017. Talgo is currently seeking approval to operate the trains in France.
The trains, which have 581 seats, will be operated by Renfe at up to 330km/h when the fleet enters commercial operation.
Alongside the second order, a revised delivery plan was approved, which brought forward the full Avril fleet’s entry into service to mid-2020. However, this was later delayed.
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