Portuguese railway company Fertagus, part of the Barraqueiro group, has purchased two Renfe 450 series intermediate cars to increase the capacity of its 3500 series trains running between Lisbon and Setúbal.
Although they have some differences that will require modifications, the 3500s are an evolution of Renfe’s UT 450s, with similar design and characteristics.
These two cars, which will be taken from units set aside at La Sagra, will arrive in Portugal in October and will increase the number of cars on two trains from four to five. However, the modifications and certification required for their use are expected to take until the end of 2026.
The acquisition, made by a company of the Barraqueiro group, cost 30,000 euros per car and responds to the need to deal with saturation at peak times, although the overall increase in supply will only be 3%. Fertagus plans to acquire more cars of this series as it is withdrawn from service with the arrival of the Renfe’s 452 and 453 series.
Although the trains are operated by Fertagus and the purchase of the trailers has been made by a company of the Barraqueiro Group, these units belong to Sagesecur; a public rolling stock company belonging to the Parpública Group.