Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Aug. 30 / Trend , D.Azizov/
A high-speed AVE 250 train, named Afrosiyob, completed its first trip last Friday in the direction of Tashkent - Samarkand, the press service of Uzbekistan Railways SJC reported.
The trip was attended by representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Uzbekistan, the head of Uzbekistan Railways JSC, and veteran railroad companies.
According to the press service, the train was moving at a speed of 250 km/h, covering the distance from the capital to Samarkand in two hours.
Uzbekistan had earlier received the first two of the high-speed trains, bought by Uzbekistan Railways JSC from the Spanish Parentes Talgo S. in late July. The second train will be delivered in September 2011.
The Spanish Patentes Talgo S. A. and Uzbekistan Railways signed a contract for the purchase of two high-speed trains AVE 250, worth 38 million euros in November 2009.
The trains will be used along the Tashkent-Samarkand route, the length of which is 356 kilometers. The maximum speed is 250 km per hour. The contract includes train service and driver training in Spain.
The electric train consists of two head locomotives, eight coaches, and a dining car. It includes VIP, first, and economy class compartments, with special conditions for passengers with disabilities. The trains' total capacity is 257 people.
The project is financed through Uzbekistan Temir Yollari and the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan.