Spanish train manufacturer Talgo has been selected to compete for a major contract to build high-speed trains for Portugal's new passenger rail network.
Portuguese state rail operator Comboios de Portugal announced that its selection committee approved Talgo alongside French manufacturer Alstom following the prequalification phase of the tender. The state rail company will now formally invite both firms to submit detailed bids to supply and maintain the rolling stock.
The procurement comes as Portugal builds its first dedicated high-speed rail lines, with Spanish national operator Renfe also preparing to expand its high-speed passenger services into the Portuguese market.
The tender carries a base price of 504 million euros and covers the purchase of 12 high-speed multiple-unit trains, along with associated spare parts and specialized maintenance tools. The contract also includes an option for Comboios de Portugal to acquire eight additional high-speed train units.
Under the terms of the tender, the winning manufacturer will provide a comprehensive maintenance service for two years starting from the delivery of the initial train. Comboios de Portugal stated that the next phases of the process will involve the submission and evaluation of bids, followed by a final decision.
The bidding timetable foresees contract signing in the first quarter of 2027, with delivery of the first high-speed train scheduled for the first quarter of 2031.
Each train set delivered to Comboios de Portugal will feature a seating capacity of more than 500 passengers. The carriages will be adapted for passengers with reduced mobility and will include dedicated spaces for bicycles, wireless internet access, USB-C charging sockets, and an integrated video surveillance system.
Portuguese Rail Network Expansion
The high-speed train procurement forms part of the largest investment in rolling stock ever undertaken by Comboios de Portugal. The state-owned rail operator is carrying out a broad fleet renewal program to modernize urban, regional, and intercity passenger services across the nation.
Alongside the high-speed tender, Comboios de Portugal previously signed a contract with Alstom for the supply of 153 trains for urban and regional operations, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029. In addition, 22 regional train units ordered from Swiss manufacturer Stadler have begun arriving in Portugal and are undergoing testing, homologation, and safety certification.
Portugal is constructing a new high-speed rail corridor designed to link Lisbon with Porto before extending north to Vigo in Galicia, Spain. The link to Vigo is expected to open in 2032, while a second high-speed connection between Lisbon and Madrid is projected to be completed by 2034.
Financial Recovery at Talgo
The invitation to bid in Portugal comes as Madrid-based Talgo works to recover profitability following several years of shareholder instability. The company was recently taken over by a Basque industrial consortium led by Jose Maria Jainaga, the chairman of steel group Sidenor.
Talgo narrowed its net losses to 27 million euros in the first half of the year, cutting its losses by more than half compared to the same period in the prior year. During the same six-month period, new orders worth 2.149 billion euros pushed the company's total order backlog to a record high of 6.239 billion euros.
Manufacturing Capacity and Partner Strategy
Although Talgo initially stated it would not seek a corporate partner to handle its record volume of orders, the Spanish government has moved to support the manufacturer's operational growth. In a July interview with Bloomberg, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the government was working directly with Talgo to expand its production capacity.
Puente explained that the plan includes establishing new manufacturing facilities and pursuing international expansion. He noted that this strategy will likely involve partnering with foreign rail equipment manufacturers and expanding production capabilities outside Spain.
Talgo, formally known as Patentes Talgo SA, is famous for its lightweight articulated train technology and variable-gauge wheel systems, which allow trains to run across different rail track gauges without stopping. The company's bid in Portugal represents a key step in its effort to secure major international high-speed equipment contracts.
