New train factory
Spanish train builder Talgo confirms its UK factory will be built at Longannet, with a research facility at Chesterfield.
SPANISH train manufacturer Talgo plans to build trains in Scotland, after confirming that its proposed UK factory will be at the site of the closed power station at Longannet.
The company made the announcement at Westminster on November 14, following an 18-month search for a UK site. It also confirmed that a Research and Development site would be built at Chesterfield, although it would not be drawn on the relationship between the two sites.
It is expected that up to 1,000 people will be employed at the 70,000m2 Scottish facility. Construction is expected to start in February 2020, with work on trains starting 18 months after that. The The 35th and final Very High Speed Train for Saudi Arabia stands at Rivabellosa on November 9, with a Talgo coach in the background. It’s this site that will be replicated in Scotland. RICHARD CLINNICK. factory will cost £40 million to build.
Talgo intends to make use of part of the existing site, and is working with the Scottish Government to develop the branch line to the former power station, which could include the return of passenger trains. Discussions have also taken place about electrifying the line.
The site was chosen because of the proximity of rail, road and sea (both Grangemouth and Rosyth ports are nearby), while the company said there are also skilled workers available in the area. Talgo also wants to create a ‘pipeline’ of engineers and innovators - it has created what it calls an ‘all Britain’ strategy designed to protect and develop the UK supply chain as well as train young people.
“This has been a tremendously challenging mission for Talgo, and I have personally seen excellence in all corners of the UK,” said Carlos de Palacio, president of Talgo and grandson of the founder.
“The establishment of a manufacturing facility at Longannet is a significant part of Talgo’s future strategy. However, our plans do not end in Scotland. Linked to our ‘all Britain’ strategy, we intend to create opportunity and harness skills across the UK.
“Talgo’s aim is to establish true UK manufacturing - rather than assembling from parts made elsewhere. This will be a team effort, requiring the ‘Best of British’. Our 18-month mission has revealed a determination and willingness across Britain to do just that.
“Although there can only be one factory site, we have developed excellent relationships with areas that we have visited. We are continuing those relationships to ensure that Talgo’s ‘all Britain’ strategy provides opportunity across the UK. The Innovation Centre at Chesterfield will create a focus for some of this work.
“Talgo’s approach keeps more money in the UK economy, and creates more skilled long-term jobs.”
Talgo UK Director Jon Veitch said: “When Talgo started this process, we were looking for just one site. However, we soon realised that all parts of the UK had something to offer.
“We have learned about the many rail-related initiatives across the UK, intended to boost capability for research, development and testing. There is an engineering renaissance under way, and I want Talgo to be a leading partner. As part of Talgo’s commitment to the UK-wide supply chain, our proposed second facility in Chesterfield will act as a catalyst.”
Paul Lewis, managing director of Scottish Development International, said: “With our public and private sector partners, we’ve worked intensively for many months to deliver the optimum proposal and to secure Scotland and Fife as the preferred location for Talgo’s investment, so this announcement is great news.
“The quality and skills of the workforce in the Fife area, combined with the strength of the business environment, will
help Talgo realise its vision of establishing a world-leading, highvalue manufacturing facility for the rail sector - bringing benefits to Fife, Scotland and the UK as a whole.
“We are committed to working with Talgo and our public and private sector partners to realise the considerable benefits from the opportunity that this proposed investment represents.”
The Chesterfield site will be the site of Talgo’s Innovation Centre, and the base for its planned ‘All Britain’ strategy. It was chosen because of its central location.
The Spanish manufacturer is shortlisted for the £2.75 billion contract to supply trains for HS2, while it was also bidding to build trains for the CrossCountry franchise before that was cancelled following the launch of the Williams Review. It is also interested in providing trains for the East Midlands franchise, as well as the West Coast Partnership franchise.
Additionally, when launching the shortlist for sites in October ( RAIL 864), the company said it would look to build trains in the UK for other parts of the world.
It said it is interested in what it calls the “emerging UK market”, as it believes it can “satisfy at technical, economic, operator and ‘passenger needs’ levels”. The company is currently looking to recruit more staff at a core level, and says that recruitment for engineering staff will begin once it wins its first order.
Rival manufacturers Bombardier and Hitachi already have factories in the UK, while CAF is finishing work on its new facility in Newport. Alstom’s Widnes site could be used for refurbishment and construction, and Siemens plans to build a site at Goole.
Asked by RAIL about what is perceived to be an overly saturated market, Veitch said: “Talgo offers a competitive product, while truly
building the UK’s manufacturing capability and creating new UK jobs - as opposed to assembling from ‘kits’ imported from elsewhere. The Innovation Centre in Chesterfield will encourage this process. Talgo also wants to export from the UK.”
The company highlighted the Department for Transport’s recent Rolling Stock Perspective Fourth
Edition, published at the end of October ( RAIL 865), which predicts a UK national fleet increase of between 40% (5,500 vehicles) and 85% (12,000) vehicles over the next 30 years. It said it plans to build a long-term capacity to support this.
As for Brexit, which is known to be a concern for other firms, Talgo said in a statement that its plans were “Brexit-free”, claiming there is a huge potential UK market as well as export opportunities.