SIEMENS has signed a $3 billion contract with the Egyptian government as part of plans to build a new 1000km network of high speed railways in the north African nation.
The first new 460km long line will connect El-Alamein, famous for its role in the Second World War, in the west of the country on the Mediterranean Sea coast to Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea. The new line, which will be designed for freight as well as high speed passenger use, will also serve Egypt’s as yet un-named new administrative capital being built 45km east of the existing capital Cairo.
Full details of the new railways, which will be built by local construction companies, have not been released but based on images released by Siemens, the company is likely to sell high speed trains based on its Velaro design (as used by Eurostar and DB in Germany), Desiro-High Capacity part double deck EMUs which are in use in Germany (and on order for Israel) and Vectron electric locomotives.