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The Spanish company Talgo is reinforcing its wager on the American market by announcing that it has signed an agreement with the state of Wisconsin to supply it with new Talgo Intercity trains.
This deal is the result of the Spanish administration’s efforts to show American authorities the benefits of Spanish high-speed rail. Governor James Doyle of Wisconsin visited Spain in February to learn first hand about the Spanish model and Talgo trains and installations. In April, President Obama gave Spanish trains as an example, when he announced the creation, over a period of five years, of a $ 13 billion network of high-speed trains.
In a statement, Spanish development minister José Blanco congratulated Talgo president Carlos de Palacio, and confirmed that “this is yet further proof of the advances in technology our country has achieved in an industry as strategic as railway transportation”. For Blanco, the government’s wager on energy efficient railroads that reduce environmental destruction “is our best calling card outside of Spain.” He also pointed out that in 2010 Spain will lead the world in kilometres of high-speed rail lines and have the most modern fleet of trains in Europe. The Ministry of Development announced that a U.S. delegation led by Dana Gresham, Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs will visit Spain in August to learn about Spanish high-speed rail in detail.
Governor Doyle said that “this agreement has the potential to help us attain our goal for high-speed rail in the Midwest”.
Wisconsin transportation secretary, Frank Busalacchi also noted that this is only the beginning of a long partnership that could apply to many other corridors in the United States.
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7/21/09
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