Talgo
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Talgo is a Spanish manufacturer of railway vehicles. It is best known for a design of articulated railway passenger cars in which the wheels are mounted in pairs, but not joined by an axle, and being between rather than underneath the individual coaches. Another feature of the design is the suspension, which allows the vehicle to passively tilt into curves, aiding passenger comfort.
TALGO stands for "Tren Articulado Ligero Goicoechea Oriol" (Goicoechea-Oriol light articulated train), Alejandro Goicoechea and Oriol being the founders of the company. Its name gives the key to its success: this system is much lighter than any other, thus cheaper to operate. Since the introduction of the "Talgo Pendular", the train tilts naturally inwards on corners, making it more comfortable for the passengers. This system also allows the train to run faster on some lines.
Talgo trains fitted with variable gauge axles can change rail gauge - for instance at the Spanish/French border.
Talgo Patents S.A. was originally incorporated in 1942.
Talgo has also recently entered the high-speed train manufacturing market. "Talgo 350" trains operating at a top speed of 330 km/h will be operating on the Madrid-Tarragona line.
[edit] 2004
- 26 25kV AC variable gauge trains for 250km/h long-distance services using two Bombardier power cars and Talgo Series VII trailer cars (E370m) [1]
[edit] See also
- Articulated car
- Tilting train
- Amtrak passenger cars
- Amfleet
- Horizon Fleet
- Heritage Fleet
- Superliner
- Talgo Cars
- Viewliner
