TALGO’s bid to bring major train manufacturing and 1,000 jobs to Longannet remains on track.

It was announced in November last year that the Spanish company had selected the old power station site as their base to build a range of trains as part of £40 million investment plans.

They are working towards landing large contracts which would see the site developed into the hub and the start of production.

MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, Douglas Chapman, has met with Talgo bosses in the past week to discuss their bid progress.

He held meetings with Sir Simon Hughes (UK strategic adviser to Talgo) and Jon Veitch (Talgo’s Key Account Manager for the UK and Ireland), and was buoyed by plans.

Mr Chapman said: “I was very impressed with what both Sir Simon Hughes and Jonathan Veitch told me about how their bids for major rail contracts have progressed since the last time we spoke, and their hopes to have Kincardine-built trains exported worldwide as rail travel demand grows.

“Talgo certainly has an impressive resume, having supplied trains around the world, but winning these contracts would really allow it to put its stamp on the UK market.

"If substantial contracts are awarded to Talgo it would be a huge boost for manufacturing in Scotland and great news for young people with an eye on a career in engineering.

“The closure of the power station was a bitter blow when the decision was made to close it, but the creation of 1,000 new high quality jobs would give the communities such as Kincardine, Culross and Valleyfield a real confidence boost."

Mr Chapman continued: “Talgo winning a major contract and starting production also brings other opportunities, such as opening up the Dunfermline to Alloa line, which would give easier access to rail travel for thousands of West Fifers.

"I’m really excited about the prospect of Talgo starting production at Longannet and we should all have our fingers crossed that they can bring success to Fife.”

Talgo currently provides high-speed trains across the world including in Spain, Germany, Kazakhstan and the west coast of Canada.

The Spanish firm hopes to establish itself in the UK market, but faces stiff competition, from the likes of manufacturing giants Hitachi and Siemens, for large contracts.

If Talgo is successful it could bring more than 1,000 jobs to Kincardine and the surrounding areas.

Their intentions have also sparked local community groups into life, with Green MSP Mark Ruskell holding a meeting in Kincardine to discuss a fresh bid for funding for a study into restoring a passenger train link between Dunfermline and Alloa.

This could help restore a direct passenger service from West Fife to Glasgow.

A bid to the Local Rail Development Fund from Go Forth Kincardine was unsuccessful last year.