TALGO went on the road with their train coach last week with visits to Kincardine and the Scottish Parliament.

The Spanish company is set to build a manufacturing plant at the former Longannet Power Station which will see 1,000 direct jobs created as well as thousands more in the supply chain.

The Talgo UK team arrived at Kincardine Community Centre last Wednesday with one of their high-speed carriages; the information morning attracted more than 250 people.

They then made their way to Holyrood late in the evening.

More than 120 guests were in attendance as Talgo laid out their plans to stakeholders and relevant partners.

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville hosted the event and, speaking after the session, said: "Talgo’s showcase in Kincardine was a fantastic success, and the perfect example of community engagement.

“Bringing together local stakeholders, residents and children from Tulliallan Primary School allowed the local community to share in Talgo’s vision, further demonstrating their commitment to this project.

“I was also delighted to host the reception at the Scottish Parliament with senior Talgo officials.

"This provided yet another platform for the vision to be shared with potential partners whilst further recognising the huge opportunity that is being presented for the regeneration of the Longannet site.

“I look forward to working closely with, and supporting, Talgo over the coming months as they aim to move closer to securing the go-ahead for their train manufacturing facility.

"This will bring thousands of highly-skilled jobs to West Fife which would be a massive economic boost for the area and for Scottish manufacturing."

Fife Council's co-leaders, Councillors David Ross and David Alexander, also attended the event.

Cllr Ross said: "The Longannet site is nationally significant and critically important locally.

"Talgo UK's plans build upon the work of the Longannet Taskforce, whose focus has been to support the wider regeneration of the area following the power station’s closure in 2016.

"This location, which has driven past industrial revolutions, will once again be a catalyst towards business activity that drives a renewed innovation-led economy.”

Cllr Alexander commented: "Fife Council welcomes this latest step forward in creating employment and economic opportunities in Kincardine and beyond.

“Approximately 74 hectares of the site are available for investors into the Kingdom and will boost the economy within South and West Fife and across the wider region.

"The Longannet site and its infrastructure connections will also give rise to significant opportunities across the wider area.”

Talgo is currently on the shortlist to provide trains for the HS2 railway project, a contract worth £2.7 billion.

It is one of a number of projects around the world that Talgo are pursuing currently.

Once a bid has been accepted, work will begin on building their Longannet train plant.