Chile Launches South America's Fastest Passenger Trains Featuring SilShield Film

In a significant move for Chile's rail transport, the national operator EFE has introduced six new four-car trains, ordered in 2020 at a cost of $70 million. These state-of-the-art diesel-electric trains will service the 188 km route between Santiago and Curico, achieving impressive speeds of up to 160 km/h. According to the Chilean Ministry of Transportation and Communications, these trains will set a new record as the fastest passenger trains in South America. CRRC has reported that the trains boast a diesel range of 1,000 km, enhancing their operational efficiency.

The new trains, equipped with 236 seats that can recline up to 170° and dedicated space for wheelchairs, have been undergoing rigorous dynamic testing on the EFE network since last summer. Originally scheduled to connect Chillan and Alameda, the launch has been delayed until Q2 due to storm-induced infrastructure damage.

Current State of Graffiti on Public Transportation in Chile

Chile's public transportation system, particularly the metro in Santiago, has been significantly impacted by graffiti. During the 2019-2020 protests, numerous metro stations and trains were heavily vandalized, with 81 stations sustaining major damage, including 17 that were burned down. The situation has led to considerable maintenance costs and disruptions in service.

Safety and anti-graffiti Measures in Public Transportation Design

Given the ongoing issues with graffiti vandalism, safety and anti-graffiti measures have become critical considerations in the design of public transportation systems. For Chile's recent train orders, specific requirements were set to mitigate the effects of graffiti and enhance safety:

Side Windows: The exterior of the side windows is made of polycarbonate (PC) panels that require specialized PC anti-graffiti films. The interior side is made of glass, which needs multi-layer anti-graffiti films.

Front Windshield: The front windshield must withstand impacts of up to 220 km/h and has an inner layer with anti-spall film to prevent splintering.

SilShield's Role and Products

SilShield emerged as a standout choice among numerous European and American brands to supply protective films for this project. Since 2021, SilShield has been providing the following films for Chile's train orders:

- PC Anti-Graffiti Film: SIPS-04.sh

- multi-layer Anti-Graffiti Film: MAGPS-02

- anti-spall film for Front Windshield: PB-8110

From Xinhua

These films are designed to offer robust protection against graffiti and other forms of vandalism, ensuring the longevity and safety of the public transportation system in Chile.