Knorr-Bremse says the contract is valued in “the mid-double-digit million-euro range” and the pneumatic braking systems will be delivered to TMH International in several batches between now and the end of 2022. The first coaches are due to enter passenger service in the third quarter of 2020.

The first braking prototypes were supplied in June 2019, with the initial shipment of volume-built systems following in December 2019. A special paint finish is being applied to the brake calipers to offer protection against Egypt’s hot and dusty desert climate.

Each coach will seat up to 88 passengers depending on its configuration. The 140km/h passenger coaches will operate throughout Egypt with ENR planning to use up to 16 coaches per train.

“The contract with Egyptian National Railways is a multi-country project involving Egypt, Russia and Hungary, as well as a global supply chain including leading rail systems companies like Knorr-Bremse from Germany,” says Mr Kirill Lipa, CEO of Transmashholding. “Over the course of the project, we will also source equipment in South Africa and Hungary, where we are present, in a commitment to support the national economies and their export potential.”