Trains that must wind through very hot regions of the world pose special challenges in material and technology. That is why Talgo, the Spanish manufacturer of high-speed trains, uses Schunk pantographs in its projects in Spain and Saudi Arabia.
Talgo trains have been linking cities and regions around the world for more than 75 years. Founded in Spain, the company builds high-speed trains that have been exported to India, the US, Canada, Russia, Japan and many more countries. In 2016 Talgo won a project of the Spanish Railways RENFE to build comfortable, energy-efficient trains that could handle the highest possible work-load. The 30 trains covered by the project will be fitted starting in July 2019 with 120 of the newest pantographs made by Schunk Ibérica for high-speed trains: the WBL 62 and WBL 42.
Schunk pantographs stand out for their longevity and their economical viability. Low-wear materials, technologically pioneering systems, and years of experience gleaned from projects all around the world ensure that manufacturers and operators avoid costly downtimes. Another advantage is the design of the pantograph to take up little space. Lightweight components make them particularly attractive for use on high-speed trains. Together with the carbon strips, also developed by Schunk, irregularities in the overhead lines can be compensated to ensure uninterrupted power transmission.
The ability of Schunk's pantographs to withstand particularly tough conditions was also crucial for winning a role in another project. The high-speed "Desert Train” connects the cities of Medina and Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which are about 450 kilometers apart. To be able to take on flying sand and temperatures well over 40 degrees Celsius, Talgo is once again relying on pantographs made by the German leader in this technology and supplied by Schunk Ibérica.