Project Renfe and UZ: Coaches with Adjustable Wheelsets and Gauge Change Devices

The Spanish railway company Renfe and the Ukrainian “Ukrzaliznytsia” have embarked on a pilot project aimed at creating trains capable of adapting to different track gauges, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This project was the subject of a recent press conference where the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, and the Minister of Economy of Spain, Carlos Cuerpo Caballero, spoke.

The project focuses on developing coaches with adjustable wheelsets and gauge change devices.

These innovations will allow trains to easily transition from the 1520 mm gauge (typical for Ukraine) to the 1435 mm and 1668 mm gauges used in Europe and Spain, respectively. This approach aims to enhance the connectivity of the Ukrainian railway network with Europe.

Yuliia Svyrydenko reported that a roadmap for the project’s implementation is currently being developed. This includes stages of design, testing, and certification of the new system. Special attention will be paid to testing and certifying the trains in the operating countries.

To successfully implement the project, a consortium of Spanish companies is planned. These companies will approach the Spanish Ministry of Commerce for project funding through the Corporate Internationalization Fund (FIEM). This fund will help provide financial support to “Ukrzaliznytsia” for the project’s realization.

Carlos Cuerpo Caballero emphasized that the project has not only economic but also symbolic significance. It will help strengthen Ukraine’s connection with European countries, which is especially important under current conditions.

The technical details of the project and its financial aspects are still under development, but Spain has already expressed its willingness to contribute.

It was previously reported that Spain will share its innovative technologies in the field of gauge change with Ukraine.

This will help accelerate the adaptation of Ukrainian railway tracks to European standards and improve the country’s transportation infrastructure.

The initiative to implement adaptive trains is an important step towards integrating the Ukrainian railway system with Europe.

It will open new opportunities for passenger and freight transport, contributing to economic growth and strengthening international ties.

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