Alstom Transport has been awarded two contracts in Spain worth a total of $138.8 million. The first contract relates to signaling equipment for a section of the Atlantic mainline ($24.4 million). The second is for the supply of 24 suburban trains to Catalan Railways (FGC) ($114.4 million).

Under the terms of the first contract, Alstom will equip a section of the Atlantic mainline with the supplier’s signaling technology. The company will provide electronic Smartlock points, signal lights, track circuits, telephone communications, power supply and technical premises. This 15.5-mile section between Vigo and Portela (Pontevedra province) in Spain is part of the new high-speed Atlantic mainline rail corridor running from North East Spain to the Portuguese border.

The new signaling equipment will enable trains using the line to reach speeds of up to 124.2 mph, and will reduce journey times and increase the capacity of the line in complete safety, thereby meeting the objectives of the Ministry of Transport.

Under the terms of the second contract Alstom will supply FGC with 24 suburban trains. The agreement includes an option for 20 additional trains. The trains are intended for the line linking Barcelona to Vallés in Catalonia. This 27.9-mile line transports 60 million passengers annually via the existing fleet of 42 trains. User numbers are expected to increase by 30 percent over the next 10 years.

The EMU-type trains (Electrical Multiple Units) will comprise four cars accommodating a total of 800 passengers. They will be equipped with air conditioning and will be accessible to the disabled. The trains will also be equipped with signaling and communication systems, such as Wi-Fi video surveillance which was installed on this line by Alstom last July.