The forty seven year old Spanish railway company FEVE, has recently struck a 5.56 million dollar deal (plus shipping and handling) with INCOFER –Instituto Costarricense ferrocarriles- (Costa Rican Railway Institute). The deal involved INCOFER purchasing six FEVE Apollo 2400 commuter train sets which are due to be delivered within 2012.

The early 1980’s model refurbished trains are part of INCOFER’s plan to commence operations between the capitol city of San José and nearby Cartago. Estimated travel time between the two cities will be roughly 35 minutes. When the project is completed, the safe and reliable transportation should open up more intercity job options for the people of San José and Cartago, as well as increase touristic activities.

Each of the six purchased train sets includes two carriage cars, each powered by 720 horsepower A.H10A-360 Volvo diesel engines. At one time each set was capable of 100km per hour, but have since, been governed down to a safer 80km per hour maximum velocity. The seating and standing room capacity of this particular commuter train model is approximately one hundred and eighty persons per set.

After the San José – Cartago inauguration, INCOFER hopes to refurbish a 76km stretch of track that connects the entire metropolitan area: Pavas. Heredia, San José, Alejuela and the airport. INCOFER is working with feasibility experts on this possibility and the project is still being researched and only in the bidding process. Thus far, no company or contractor has been awarded the job.