Article Summary
Source-basedSAR doubles Stadler intercity order to 20
Karel Novak
Published: 12/10/2026 01:00
© Stadler
Saudi Arabia Railways has ordered ten additional Stadler intercity trains, exercising an option from its 2024 contract and doubling the planned fleet to 20 units. The new order, including an extension of the maintenance agreement, is worth more than CHF 300 million.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) exercised the option following a financing agreement signed during InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin. The additional trains will follow the first ten units already under production, with commercial passenger service expected to begin in the second half of 2029.
The approximately 175-metre-long trains have been developed specifically for Saudi operating conditions, including extreme temperatures and sand exposure. Each train will use two independent power cars, redundant onboard systems and dedicated protection and filtration equipment.
Capacity will be around 320 passengers. The interior will include several comfort classes, larger luggage areas and other features adapted to the Saudi market.
Riyadh–Dammam operations
The trains are intended for SAR’s East-West line, serving Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq and Dammam.
The additional ten units will also be covered by an extension of the maintenance agreement included with the original fleet.
Production will take place primarily at Stadler facilities in Switzerland, while the power-car bodies will be manufactured at the company’s plant in Valencia, Spain.
Production of the first batch started in April 2026, with the additional trains scheduled to follow directly after the initial series.
Stadler and SAR plan to present the new train publicly at InnoTrans 2028, ahead of the planned start of passenger operations the following year.
Full Article
SAR doubles Stadler intercity order to 20
Karel Novak
Published: 12/10/2026 01:00
© Stadler
Saudi Arabia Railways has ordered ten additional Stadler intercity trains, exercising an option from its 2024 contract and doubling the planned fleet to 20 units. The new order, including an extension of the maintenance agreement, is worth more than CHF 300 million.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) exercised the option following a financing agreement signed during InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin. The additional trains will follow the first ten units already under production, with commercial passenger service expected to begin in the second half of 2029.
The approximately 175-metre-long trains have been developed specifically for Saudi operating conditions, including extreme temperatures and sand exposure. Each train will use two independent power cars, redundant onboard systems and dedicated protection and filtration equipment.
Capacity will be around 320 passengers. The interior will include several comfort classes, larger luggage areas and other features adapted to the Saudi market.
Riyadh–Dammam operations
The trains are intended for SAR’s East-West line, serving Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq and Dammam.
The additional ten units will also be covered by an extension of the maintenance agreement included with the original fleet.
Production will take place primarily at Stadler facilities in Switzerland, while the power-car bodies will be manufactured at the company’s plant in Valencia, Spain.
Production of the first batch started in April 2026, with the additional trains scheduled to follow directly after the initial series.
Stadler and SAR plan to present the new train publicly at InnoTrans 2028, ahead of the planned start of passenger operations the following year.