First high-speed electricity train carries out first trip from Samarkand and Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- First high-speed electricity train Talgo 250, named Afrosiyob, carried out its first trip from Tashkent to Samarkand on 26 August 2011, Uzbekistan Temir Yo’llari state joint stock railway company said.

Representatives of Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, diplomatic corps, management of Uzbekistan Temir Yo’llari, and veterans of railways participated at the first trip.

Talgo train, produced in Spain, run at the speed of 250 kmh and passed the distance between Tashkent and Samarkand in two hours.

Participants of the first historic trip of the only high speed train in Central Asia were welcomed in Samarkand by representatives of city and region administration, railway workers and Samarkand citizens.

Representative of PATENTES TALGO, S. L. (Spain), who participated in assembly and launch of high-speed train, were awarded with memorable gifts.

As reported earlier, on 5 January 2010, the Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed a resolution “On measures on implementation of the project “Purchase of two high-speed passenger electricity power Talgo-230 (Spain)”. The project is financed due to own resources of Uzbekistan Temir Yollari and resources of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan. The second train will be delivered in September 2011.

The contract sum is 38 million euros. The document said Uzbekistan Temir Yollari will finance 50% cost of contract on purchase of Talgo trains. Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan will issue loan to cover other 50%. The fund will issue loan through National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan (NBU). The loan is issued for 10 years, including two-year grace period. The interest rate set at 2% APR, including 0.25% refinancing margin.

The electricity train consists of two locomotives, 8 passenger cars and one dining-car. The train has VIP, first class and economy class places. The trains can be used by people with limited abilities.

The first train has been delivered to Uzbekistan on 22 July 2011 and the second will arrive in Uzbekistan in September 2011.

Total capacity of the train makes up 257 people. The maximum speed is 250 km per hour and it will spend two hours to travel between Tashkent and Samarkand (344 km). Currently, Registan train passes this distance in 3.5 hours.

PATENTES TALGO S.L. will also supply spare parts during guarantee period and assist to maintain Afrosiyob electricity trains during exploitation process of 51 months.