The Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) will buy locomotives and carriages from the Spanish company. The first will be delivered in four years’ time.

The SRO will receive eight train sets in total, each comprising a locomotive and five carriages. They will be able to run at speeds of 200 kilometres per hour, and withstand temperatures of 55-C.

CAF will also build and supply facilities for maintenance of the trains.

The purchase is intended to address a rapid increase in the number of rail passengers in the kingdom as the country’s rail network expands.