Diesel trains from Britain have started operating on Lagos rail lines in Nigeria. They were upgraded and adapted for city passenger transportation. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Diesel Trains
Photo: LAMATA

The fastest diesel trains from Britain have found a second life on Lagos rail lines. Two HST (Intercity 125) trains were put into operation on the second line of the Lagos city railway.

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These trains were originally manufactured by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) from 1975 to 1982. The HST trains hold the official world speed record among diesel trains, reaching 238 km/h. Although an unofficial record belongs to Talgo trains, it was not officially recognized.

Each HST train includes two Class 43 locomotives and Mk3 carriages, adapted for urban transport. All carriages were upgraded to meet the needs of the Lagos railway network. In 2023, the company Romic purchased 11 locomotives and 11 carriages from the United Kingdom for Nigeria. This gave the trains a new opportunity to operate on the second line of Lagos, serving the city’s passenger flow.

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Some of these diesel locomotives will be used with Talgo VIII trains, which arrived in Nigeria in 2022. They have already started working on the same line. These trains had been idle for almost 15 years because the project they were built for was canceled. These Talgo trains were originally built in 2009 for a high-speed rail project in Wisconsin, USA, which was abandoned after one year.

So far, Talgo VIII trains have successfully operated alongside HST trains, providing a reliable and fast service. The combination of these trains ensures a high level of comfort and speed for passengers on the route. Transportation on this line continues to grow, attracting more passengers every day. The introduction of these trains has become a significant step for the development of Lagos’ transportation infrastructure.

Additionally, since 2023, CRRC trains have been running on the first line of the Lagos city railway. These trains also play a crucial role in urban transport, increasing capacity and improving mobility for residents. Every year, the Lagos transport network expands and becomes more efficient.

Thus, the modernization of Lagos railway transport is moving forward rapidly. The use of former British HST trains and the introduction of Talgo VIII trains have become important milestones for the entire railway system of the city.

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