Saudi Arabia’s Haramain high-speed railway

The Haramain Express, Saudi Arabia’s first high-speed train, will link Medina and Mecca in less than two-and-a-half hours and cut pollution and congestion on the road between the two Muslim holy cities

HARAMAIN HST: Total of 35 trains built by Spain, adapted for desert climate

Air conditioning: Works on auxiliary power if overhead electrification fails

Cab window: Polyurethane sheets reduce wear from blowing sand

Wheels: Blowers positioned in close proximity to clear sand from track

Dust ingress: Reinforced door seals, military-grade air filters

Rolling stock: Talgo 350 SRO 
Maximum speed: 300km/h 
Length of train: 215m (13 cars) 
Passenger capacity: 417 seats 
Thermal resistance: Up to 50°C

Track modifications: Construction of retaining walls and ditches along line and use of slab track instead of ballast in exposed sections to prevent encroachment of desert sand

Existing railways
Riyadh
SAUDI ARABIA
SAUDI Medina ARABIA
Haramain high-speed rail line: Length 453km
King Abdullah Economic City
King Abdulaziz International Airport Branch line serves main entry point for Hajj pilgrims
50km 30 miles
RED SEA
Mecca
Jeddah 

Sources: International Railway Journal, Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) © GRAPHIC NEWS