# Talgo European high-speed rail development

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/talgo-european-high-speed-rail-development
> Updated: 2026-10-18T08:44:36.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

The Talgo company and the Basque Government launched the ‘BasqTrain 35’ project, a 105 million euro initiative to develop high-speed trains compatible with various European technical standards and track gauges. This project, part of the ‘Euskadi 2030’ industrial plan, aims to reduce market fragmentation and increase technological sovereignty in the rail sector.

Talgo is currently preparing a formal proposal for Comboios de Portugal (CP) to supply high-speed trains for the Lisbon-Porto connection. The tender has a base value of approximately 504 million euros. While the current requirements specifically mandate Iberian gauge compatibility, Talgo is positioning its variable gauge technology as a strategic advantage. CEO Ricardo Chocarro noted that this technology allows trains to transition between different track widths without stopping, providing Portugal with greater flexibility should the country adopt the European standard gauge or seek to operate in different international markets in the future.

Talgo faces competition from the French company Alstom for the contract. The proposal must address the specific complexities of the Portuguese network, including the necessity of operating on various line types while high-speed infrastructure remains under construction.

## Claims

- Talgo intends to propose high-speed trains capable of operating on both Iberian and international gauges for Portugal. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Talgo and Alstom were selected to submit proposals for the high-speed rail tender. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The high-speed rail tender has a base value of 504 million euros. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The tender is for high-speed rail to connect Lisbon and Porto using Iberian gauge. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Talgo's trains can adapt to different track widths without stopping or passengers disembarking. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Talgo has 25 years of experience with high-speed trains in Spain. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-18: Talgo proposes dual-gauge high-speed trains for Portugal

Talgo is proposing variable-gauge high-speed trains to Comboios de Portugal for a €504 million tender, offering flexibility between Iberian and international rail tracks.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/talgo-proposes-dual-gauge-high-speed-trains-for-portugal

### 2026-10-05: Talgo announces BasqTrain 35 to unify European high-speed rail

Talgo and the Basque Government launched ‘BasqTrain 35’, a 105 million euro project to develop modular high-speed trains capable of operating across all European rail networks.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/talgo-announces-basqtrain-35-to-unify-european-high-speed-rail

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Cite as: Talgo European high-speed rail development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/talgo-european-high-speed-rail-development