The world is moving at an ever-faster pace, and trains are no exception. And, shockingly, a high-speed train in Egypt is capable of reaching 250 kilometers per hour. Once the stuff of science fiction, has now become a reality. At this pace, a journey from Delhi to Bihar could take just four hours. But, there’s a twist as its arrival in India remains uncertain and this train is launched in Egypt.
Velaro high-speed train unveiled in Egypt
Siemens Mobility recently unveiled its new Velaro high-speed train model in Egypt, capable of reaching a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Travellers and critical cargo would be now able to move faster through these high-speed trains. New version of Velaro train by Siemens Mobility, made its public debut in Egypt at the TransMEA 2025 show in New Cairo on November 9.
According to the company, Forty-one of the 489-capacity trains will run on Egypt’s new 2,000-kilometer high-speed network, which will link major cities across three lines. The network will serve nearly 90% of the population and cut travel times by up to 50%. The project, first announced in 2018, is being built with Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction. Globally, this project has emerged as Africa’s most ambitious rail mission.
What makes this train special?
The Velaro trains are not only high-speed, but also have a capacity of 489 passengers, a modern design, and the ability to withstand harsh desert climates. The train was designed and constructed in Germany. Interestingly, it also features advanced filtrations systems and cooling to counter sand, heat and dust. Morocco was the first country to introduce high-speed rail in Africa before Egypt. In 2018, the Tangier-Casablanca was opened, operating at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Nigeria is also working on a $60 billion high-speed rail project spanning 4,000 km. The African Union plans to connect the continent via high-speed rail in the coming decades, boosting trade and connectivity.
