SAUDI ARABIA: Stadler has signed a firm contract to supply Saudi Arabia Railways with a further 10 inter-city trainsets for use on the East–West line between Riyadh and Dammam. The order announced on October 9 has been placed as an option on a SFr600m contract for an initial 10 trainsets which was signed in February 2024. SAR signed a financing agreement for the latest order at InnoTrans 2026. Stadler said the value of the option exceeds SFr300m, including an extension of the original maintenance agreement to cover the additional vehicles. InnoTrans 2028 unveiling The 200 km/h trainsets will be produced primarily at Stadler’s facilities in Switzerland, with the car bodies for the power cars manufactured at its plant outside València in Spain. Manufacturing will commence immediately after completion of work on the first series, which entered production in April 2026. Stadler and SAR plan to unveil the first trainset at InnoTrans 2028 in Berlin, ahead of entry into passenger service the second half of 2029. Designed for the requirements of Saudi Arabia Stadler said SAR’s ‘demanding expectations’ for availability and passenger comfort shaped the vehicle concept, which was developed jointly with the operator to meet climatic and operational requirements. These included sand filters, protection against extreme heat and numerous redundant systems. The 175 m long trainsets will have two diesel-electric power cars, with each power car having two MTU 12V 4000 R64 MTU engines with an output of 1 500 kW and meeting European Stage V emission standards. They will have a capacity of around 320 passengers in various classes, with ‘generous’ luggage areas and amenities tailored to the needs of the Saudi Arabian market. Swiss consultancy Nose Design Experience supported the development of the interior and exterior design. ‘Together with SAR, we have developed a tailor-made solution that meets the highest standards in both technology and passenger comfort. The fact that our customer is already doubling the fleet at this stage underlines the strength of our partnership’, said Lucius Gerig, EVP of Stadler’s Switzerland division.
SAUDI ARABIA: Stadler has signed a firm contract to supply Saudi Arabia Railways with a further 10 inter-city trainsets for use on the East–West line between Riyadh and Dammam.
The order announced on October 9 has been placed as an option on a SFr600m contract for an initial 10 trainsets which was signed in February 2024.
SAR signed a financing agreement for the latest order at InnoTrans 2026. Stadler said the value of the option exceeds SFr300m, including an extension of the original maintenance agreement to cover the additional vehicles.
InnoTrans 2028 unveiling
The 200 km/h trainsets will be produced primarily at Stadler’s facilities in Switzerland, with the car bodies for the power cars manufactured at its plant outside València in Spain.
Manufacturing will commence immediately after completion of work on the first series, which entered production in April 2026.
Stadler and SAR plan to unveil the first trainset at InnoTrans 2028 in Berlin, ahead of entry into passenger service the second half of 2029.
Designed for the requirements of Saudi Arabia
Stadler said SAR’s ‘demanding expectations’ for availability and passenger comfort shaped the vehicle concept, which was developed jointly with the operator to meet climatic and operational requirements. These included sand filters, protection against extreme heat and numerous redundant systems.
The 175 m long trainsets will have two diesel-electric power cars, with each power car having two MTU 12V 4000 R64 MTU engines with an output of 1 500 kW and meeting European Stage V emission standards.
They will have a capacity of around 320 passengers in various classes, with ‘generous’ luggage areas and amenities tailored to the needs of the Saudi Arabian market.
Swiss consultancy Nose Design Experience supported the development of the interior and exterior design.
‘Together with SAR, we have developed a tailor-made solution that meets the highest standards in both technology and passenger comfort. The fact that our customer is already doubling the fleet at this stage underlines the strength of our partnership’, said Lucius Gerig, EVP of Stadler’s Switzerland division.
Source: Railway Gazette
