CAF Lands $453M Rail Maintenance Contracts: UK, Colombia

News Article: CAF Secures Major Maintenance Contracts in the UK and Colombia

London, United Kingdom – May 7, 2025 – Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), a leading global provider of railway solutions, has announced the successful acquisition of two significant maintenance contracts, one in the United Kingdom and another in Colombia. These contracts, collectively valued at approximately $453.3 million (€400 million), underscore CAF’s growing influence in the rail maintenance sector and its commitment to providing comprehensive and long-term support for its clients. The UK contract renews a partnership with Northern Trains (a train operating company) and Eversholt Rail (a rolling stock company) for the maintenance of Northern’s rolling stock fleet, while the Colombian contract involves a long-cycle maintenance agreement with Medellín Metro (a rapid transit system). This news piece will delve into the specifics of these contracts, exploring the scope of services, the duration of the agreements, and the broader implications for CAF’s global operations. Furthermore, we will briefly touch upon the company’s expansion and its position in the competitive landscape of the rail industry, highlighting the recent projects and CAF’s current global presence.

Expanding Maintenance Footprint: The UK Contract

The UK contract represents a significant win for CAF, renewing its collaboration with Northern Trains and Eversholt Rail for a decade. This agreement highlights a well-established working model. CAF, responsible for management, technical support, spare parts supply, and service delivery, provides comprehensive technical support, including initial corrective maintenance, spare parts supply, and major equipment overhauls. This encompasses a fleet of 101 trains, including both electric and diesel units, which CAF built for Eversholt Rail between 2018 and 2020. The collaboration leverages Northern’s direct labor for maintenance, and Eversholt Rail provides multidisciplinary support. This partnership strengthens CAF’s presence in the UK market, where it already employs around 1,000 people and operates production facilities in Newport, along with providing maintenance services across 14 depots. The UK contract reflects CAF’s ability to offer extensive and integrated maintenance services, supporting a wide array of rolling stock types and operational needs. This is crucial in a market where the demand for reliable and well-maintained trains is continuously increasing.

Strengthening Ties in Colombia: The Medellín Metro Agreement

In Colombia, CAF has further solidified its relationship with Medellín Metro through a long-cycle maintenance contract. The agreement covers 38 units of the CAF-supplied fleet that has been in operation since 2009. The contract includes the general overhaul of 25 trains and the intermediate overhaul of 13 trains. This builds upon the previous maintenance services CAF has provided to Medellín Metro, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to supporting its clients and ensuring the continued availability of safe and efficient rolling stock. Furthermore, this contract follows the recent orders for new trains and upgrades to the Train Control and Monitoring System, highlighting a broader partnership that goes beyond mere maintenance. This reflects the growing importance of the South American market for CAF, with the Medellín Metro contract cementing its position as a trusted partner for urban rail solutions in the region. This strategic move will bolster CAF’s presence in the region and provide revenue from a market with increasing demand for railway infrastructure.

Global Perspective and Recent Developments

CAF’s success in securing these contracts demonstrates its commitment to its global presence. Currently, CAF manages over 150 service agreements across more than 20 countries. In March of the same year, CAF signed a contract with the Syndicat des Mobilités de Touraine to provide 19 Urbos trams for the new Line II of the Tours tram network, linking La Riche and Chambray les-Tours. The agreement also covers the supply of depot components and specialized tools. This diversification reflects its ability to offer a wide range of products and services, from rolling stock manufacturing to comprehensive maintenance solutions. This global reach, along with the ability to adapt to the specific requirements of each market, has been a key driver of its success. CAF’s continued investments in research and development, coupled with a focus on customer satisfaction, will be crucial for continued growth and relevance in the rail industry.

Conclusion

CAF’s recent success in securing major maintenance contracts in the UK and Colombia underscores its position as a leading player in the global rail industry. These contracts, valued at $453.3 million, highlight CAF’s expertise in providing comprehensive maintenance solutions, its commitment to long-term partnerships, and its ability to cater to the diverse needs of its clients. The UK contract reinforces CAF’s existing presence and strong working relationship with Northern Trains and Eversholt Rail, while the Colombian agreement strengthens CAF’s collaboration with Medellín Metro. CAF’s global reach, which includes operations in more than 20 countries and management of over 150 service agreements, showcases its capacity to deliver innovative solutions. As the demand for reliable and efficient rail transportation continues to grow, CAF is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend by continuing to invest in its expertise and adapt to the needs of its clients. The future for CAF looks bright as the company is constantly expanding to other markets and strengthening its current presence.

Summary of Companies:

• CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles): A global railway solutions provider, manufacturing rolling stock and offering maintenance services.
• Northern Trains: A train operating company in the UK, providing local and medium-distance services.
• Eversholt Rail: A rolling stock company in the UK, owning and leasing trains.
• Medellín Metro: A rapid transit system in Medellín, Colombia.
• Syndicat des Mobilités de Touraine: A public transport authority responsible for urban mobility in the Touraine region of France.