Predictika · Rolling stock order quotes

An AI sales agent's trainset order quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a fleet of passenger trainsets for a railway operator: platform, number of cars, business and cafe cars, seating layout, track gauge, supply voltages, signalling, operating speed, wheelchair spaces, delivery schedule, maintenance years and a total. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published product information and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Talgo AVRIL very high speed trainsets and Talgo 230 intercity coach sets: cars, seating, gauge, voltages, signalling, speed, delivery, maintenance and total. See everything this validator covers

This validator models fleet orders for two Talgo platforms, not just the scenarios shown below. Items marked with an asterisk are illustrative.

  • AVRIL and Talgo 230 — the AVRIL is a 3.2 meter wide articulated trainset with a power car at each end; the Talgo 230 is an intercity coach set hauled or pushed by a locomotive, with a cab car for push-pull running.
  • Cars and interior — passenger cars between the end cars (8 to 12 on the AVRIL and 6 to 14 on the Talgo 230, modeled), business and cafe cars, 3+2 tourist seating on the wide AVRIL body or 2+2, business seating 2+2 or 2+1*, and the seat count per set worked out from the mix.
  • Gauge, voltage and signalling — 1,435 mm, 1,668 mm, variable gauge or a planned 1,520 mm version; 25 kV AC, 15 kV AC, 3 kV DC and 1.5 kV DC supply; ETCS, ASFA, TVM and ATC*; the optional on-board generator on the AVRIL.
  • Order terms — speed limit by platform, wheelchair spaces, delivery schedule, years of maintenance up to 30, a fleet-size approval at 10 sets, and the agent's stated seats and total compared with the computed ones.

Any order for these two platforms that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: other Talgo products, interior fit-out beyond the layouts above, spares, training and financing. Per-set prices, maintenance rates and most limits are typical for rolling stock and are not published by Talgo; the footer says which items are real and which are illustrative.

The AI sales agentBuilds the trainset order quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Options that only exist on one platform (variable gauge, on-board generator, 3+2 seating, voltage choice, cab car)Only with care
Each option has its own platform condition; a rules-based CPQ needs one rule per option and per platform, and a new platform or option means editing them.		Platform, gauge, interior and options are checked together on every call.
Signalling that depends on voltage, gauge and speed (TVM needs 25 kV AC, ETCS above 250 km/h, ASFA not on 1,520 mm)Only with workarounds
These are cross-checks between three groups of choices, so they end up as separate rules that each have to be kept in step when a signalling system or voltage is added.		Voltage, gauge, speed and signalling are checked against each other and every miss is reported.
A seat count and fleet total worked out from the car mix, and compared with what the agent statesOnly with workarounds
The seat count comes from a car mix and layouts, and the stated figures are free-entry fields that someone has to compare by hand.		The seats and total are computed from the order, and the stated figures are compared with them on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and then meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The order has 0 trainsets; at least 1 is needed.
2A trainset of 7 passenger cars is outside the 8 to 12 cars offered for this platform.
3A trainset of 13 passenger cars is outside the 8 to 12 cars offered for this platform.
4A trainset of 5 passenger cars is outside the 6 to 14 cars offered for this platform.
5A trainset of 15 passenger cars is outside the 6 to 14 cars offered for this platform.
6The business and cafe cars leave 0 tourist class cars; at least 1 is needed.
73+2 tourist seating is for the 3.2 meter wide AVRIL body; Talgo 230 coaches take 2+2 seating.
8An operating speed of 331 km/h is above the 330 km/h this platform is certified for.
9An operating speed of 231 km/h is above the 230 km/h this platform is certified for.
10A trainset running at 251 km/h needs ETCS cab signalling.
11An AVRIL power car needs at least one overhead supply voltage.
12A Talgo 230 coach set is hauled or pushed by a locomotive, which brings the supply voltage; none is ordered with the coaches.
13A power car with 3 supply voltages needs a special equipment layout; a person should confirm.
14TVM cab signalling is for 25 kV AC high speed lines and is fitted to the AVRIL power cars with the 25 kV system.
15ASFA is the Spanish train protection system and is not fitted to 1,520 mm gauge trainsets.
16The AVRIL has been announced in a 1,520 mm gauge version but none has been delivered; a person should confirm engineering.
17Variable gauge bogies are offered on the AVRIL, not on Talgo 230 coaches.
18The optional on-board generator is an AVRIL power car option; Talgo 230 coaches have no power car.
19The optional on-board generator needs an engineering review of the route and emissions; a person should confirm.
20A cab car is for Talgo 230 push-pull sets; the AVRIL has a power car at each end.
211 wheelchair space(s) is fewer than the 2 required on a high speed or intercity trainset.
22Delivery of the first set in 35 months is shorter than the 36 months it takes to build, test and approve a set.
23Delivery of the first set in 36 months is a short schedule; a person should confirm production slots.
24Delivery of the first set in 47 months is a short schedule; a person should confirm production slots.
25A maintenance contract of 31 years is longer than the 30 years offered.
26The trainsets are quoted without a maintenance contract; fleets of this kind are normally sold with long term maintenance, so a person should confirm.
27An order of 10 trainsets is a framework contract; a person should confirm financing and production slots.
28The quote states 600 seats per set; the car mix and layouts give 507 seats.
29The quote states a total of €100 million; the typical rates give €211.6 million.
30A trainset of 14 passenger cars is outside the 8 to 12 cars offered for this platform.
31An operating speed of 340 km/h is above the 330 km/h this platform is certified for.
320 wheelchair space(s) is fewer than the 2 required on a high speed or intercity trainset.
33Delivery of the first set in 24 months is shorter than the 36 months it takes to build, test and approve a set.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. AVRIL variable gauge order: A variable gauge AVRIL order at 340 km/h with one wheelchair space and a 30 month delivery

    
The agent's request. Please quote 6 Talgo AVRIL sets with 12 passenger cars, 3 business cars and a cafe car, 3+2 tourist seating, variable 1,435/1,668 mm gauge, 25 kV AC and 3 kV DC supply and ETCS and ASFA signalling. The sets will run at 340 km/h with 1 wheelchair space, delivery of the first set in 30 months and a maintenance contract of 30 years. The quote states 507 seats per set and a total of €340.2 million. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Speed above the platform limit. An operating speed of 340 km/h is above the 330 km/h this platform is certified for.
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  • Too few wheelchair spaces. 1 wheelchair space(s) is fewer than the 2 required on a high speed or intercity trainset.
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  • Delivery date not feasible. Delivery of the first set in 30 months is shorter than the 36 months it takes to build, test and approve a set.
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2. AVRIL variable gauge order: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 6 Talgo AVRIL sets with 12 passenger cars, 3 business cars and a cafe car, 3+2 tourist seating, variable 1,435/1,668 mm gauge, 25 kV AC and 3 kV DC supply and ETCS and ASFA signalling. The sets will run at 330 km/h with 2 wheelchair spaces, delivery of the first set in 48 months and a maintenance contract of 30 years. The quote states 507 seats per set and a total of €340.2 million. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 507 seats per set, price of €56.7 million per set with maintenance, €340.2 million in total at typical rates.
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3. AVRIL for a TVM line: An AVRIL order with TVM signalling, no 25 kV AC supply and no ETCS

    
The agent's request. Please quote 5 Talgo AVRIL sets with 10 passenger cars, 2 business cars and a cafe car, 3+2 tourist seating, 1,435 mm gauge, 3 kV DC supply and TVM signalling. The sets will run at 320 km/h with 2 wheelchair spaces, delivery of the first set in 60 months and a maintenance contract of 30 years. The quote states 426 seats per set and a total of €235.8 million. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • ETCS needed above 250 km/h. A trainset running at 320 km/h needs ETCS cab signalling.
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  • TVM needs 25 kV AC and AVRIL. TVM cab signalling is for 25 kV AC high speed lines and is fitted to the AVRIL power cars with the 25 kV system.
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4. AVRIL for a TVM line: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 5 Talgo AVRIL sets with 10 passenger cars, 2 business cars and a cafe car, 3+2 tourist seating, 1,435 mm gauge, 25 kV AC and 3 kV DC supply and ETCS and TVM signalling. The sets will run at 320 km/h with 2 wheelchair spaces, delivery of the first set in 60 months and a maintenance contract of 30 years. The quote states 426 seats per set and a total of €244.8 million. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 426 seats per set, price of €49 million per set with maintenance, €244.8 million in total at typical rates.
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5. Talgo 230 intercity sets: A Talgo 230 order with AVRIL options and no maintenance contract

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Talgo 230 sets with 8 passenger cars, 1 business car, 3+2 tourist seating, variable 1,435/1,668 mm gauge and ETCS signalling, with the on-board generator and a cab car. The sets will run at 200 km/h with 2 wheelchair spaces, delivery of the first set in 48 months and no maintenance contract. The quote states 375 seats per set and a total of €185.6 million. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • 3+2 seating needs the wide AVRIL body. 3+2 tourist seating is for the 3.2 meter wide AVRIL body; Talgo 230 coaches take 2+2 seating.
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  • Voltage on a locomotive hauled coach set. A Talgo 230 coach set is hauled or pushed by a locomotive, which brings the supply voltage; none is ordered with the coaches.
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  • Variable gauge only on AVRIL. Variable gauge bogies are offered on the AVRIL, not on Talgo 230 coaches.
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  • Hybrid generator only on AVRIL. The optional on-board generator is an AVRIL power car option; Talgo 230 coaches have no power car.
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  • No maintenance contract. The trainsets are quoted without a maintenance contract; fleets of this kind are normally sold with long term maintenance, so a person should confirm.
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6. Talgo 230 intercity sets: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Talgo 230 sets with 8 passenger cars, 1 business car, 2+2 tourist seating, 1,435 mm gauge and ETCS signalling, with a cab car. The sets will run at 200 km/h with 2 wheelchair spaces, delivery of the first set in 48 months and no maintenance contract. The quote states 298 seats per set and a total of €137.6 million. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • No maintenance contract. The trainsets are quoted without a maintenance contract; fleets of this kind are normally sold with long term maintenance, so a person should confirm.
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  • Order summary. 298 seats per set, price of €17.2 million per set with maintenance, €137.6 million in total at typical rates.
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7. Talgo 230 intercity sets: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Talgo 230 sets with 8 passenger cars, 1 business car, 2+2 tourist seating, 1,435 mm gauge and ETCS signalling, with a cab car. The sets will run at 200 km/h with 2 wheelchair spaces, delivery of the first set in 48 months and a maintenance contract of 20 years. The quote states 298 seats per set and a total of €172.8 million. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 298 seats per set, price of €21.6 million per set with maintenance, €172.8 million in total at typical rates.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a fleet of passenger trainsets for a railway operator: platform, number of cars, business and cafe cars, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published product information and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote 8 Talgo 230 sets with 8 passenger cars, 1 business car, 3+2 tourist seating, variable 1,435/1,668 mm gauge and ETCS signalling. The sets will run at 200 km/h with 2 wheelchair spaces, delivery of the first set in 48 months and no maintenance contract. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with four findings and one approval, all in one answer. 3+2 tourist seating is for the 3.2 meter wide AVRIL body; Talgo 230 coaches take 2+2 seating. A Talgo 230 coach set is hauled or pushed by a locomotive, which brings the supply voltage; none is ordered with the coaches. Variable gauge bogies are offered on the AVRIL, not on Talgo 230 coaches. The other one is on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned four blocking findings and one approval in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for options that only exist on one platform (variable gauge, on-board generator, 3+2 seating, voltage choice, cab car), a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the tourist seating to 2+2, the gauge to 1,435 mm, the supply voltages to none, the stated seats per set to 298 and the stated total to €137,600. It removes the on-board generator.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Not blocked, but held for a person.
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  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote, on screen.
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  13. The four blocking findings are cleared; one approval remains for a person: no maintenance contract.
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  14. The agent resubmits once more.
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  15. The revised request. It changes the maintenance to 20 years and the stated total to €172,800.
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  16. It calls the validator once more.
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  17. This time the validator clears it.
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  18. The validator also returns the line-item quote, on screen.
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  19. The earlier finding is cleared, and the validator's total, €172.8 million, matches the quote.
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  20. Five problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean 172,800 euros quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    21.