The highly anticipated Mayan Train, a railway project connecting various regions in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, is set to open its first section on December 15th. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the project's development, which aims to boost tourism and economic growth in the region. The initial section will run from Palenque to Escárcega and is expected to provide a more efficient and sustainable mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. The Mayan Train project is a crucial investment in Mexico's infrastructure, and its successful completion will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the country's economy and the local communities it serves.
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| Photo Credit : Mexician Government |
Track-laying on 145-mile Section 2 from Escárcega to Calkiní is fully done.
Section 2 Updates
Mexico's Mayan Train project is set to open its first section on December 15, according to Director General Óscar David Lozano Águila. The 145-mile Section 2, which runs from Escárcega to Calkiní in the state of Campeche, has had its track-laying completed, and work on the five viaducts on the 11.66-mile new alignment avoiding the center of the city of Campeche has been finished.
Five new stations located at Carillo Puerto-Champotón, Edzná, San Francisco Campeche, Tenabo, and Hecelchakán are more than 80% complete, with fit-out work including the installation of lifts and escalators due to be completed shortly. Furthermore, the rolling stock maintenance facility at Hampolol is 64% complete, while the infrastructure maintenance base at Edzná will be ready for the start of operations next month.
The Pomuch freight yard is under construction and expected to handle a wide variety of traffic including fuel, steel, cement, grain, perishable goods, and new road vehicles. Construction of Section 2 has generated over 27,000 jobs to the benefit of the region's population of 535,000 inhabitants.
Alstom and Renfe's Involvement
Alstom is supplying 42 X’trapolis trains consisting of 219 cars for the Mayan Train project. Spanish national operator Renfe has been responsible for training 50 engineers and 30 operations control staff. The six-month program designed for the project by Renfe began in January, combining two months of classroom instruction in Mexico City with practical training in Spain.
The first cohort of engineers completed their training in July, and at the end of August, the second cohort arrived in Spain to undertake a week of training in Madrid before moving to Renfe’s training center in Málaga. A further month of classroom training in Málaga is followed by three months of practical experience, first on simulators and then on Civia commuter EMUs around the Málaga area as well as high-speed trains operating to Madrid, Granada, and Córdoba. The final phase of engineer training will take place in Mexico to familiarize engineers with the new Alstom trains, Mayan Train infrastructure, and operating regulations.
Mayan Train Operating Personnel Training
All 30 Mayan Train operating personnel completed their training in Mexico City on August 28 and traveled to Spain earlier this month to complete the program by the end of November. The Mayan Train project is expected to boost tourism and economic development in the region while creating job opportunities for local residents.
(This article is sourced from railwayage.com and curated by Thetransporteronline24)
