High Speed Trains In Spain - Part One

The rapidly expanding High Speed Train Network as made Spain one of the world leaders in the provision of fast train services. The Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) is a service of high speed trains operating at speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on dedicated track in Spain. The name is literally translated from Spanish as "Spanish High Speed", but also a play on the word ave, meaning "bird".

Unlike the rest of the Spanish broad-gauge network, the AVE uses standard gauge, permitting direct connections outside Spain in the future. All AVE trains are currently operated by RENFE, the Spanish state railway company, although it is possible that private companies may be allowed to run lines in the future. On the line from Madrid to Seville, the service guarantees arrival within five minutes of the advertised time, and offers a full refund if the train is delayed further, although only 0.16% of trains have been so. In this regard, the punctuality of the AVE is exceptional compared to other non long distance RENFE services. On other AVE lines, this punctuality promise is more lax (15 minutes on the Barcelona line).

Contents

1 History
1.1 New rail link to Andalusia
1.2 AVANT – Media Distancia
1.3 Madrid–Barcelona
1.4 Madrid–Valladolid
2 Trains
3 Operational services
4 Construction and current development
4.1 Northeastern Corridor - to the French Border
4.2 North-Northwestern Corridors
4.3 Southwest - Portuguese Corridor
4.4 Eastern Corridor
5 Future planned lines
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

History

New rail link to Andalusia

Towards the end of the 1980s a new line was planned to join the Castilian Meseta with Andalusia without passing through the Despeñaperros national park. After considering various options it was decided that a standard-gauge line, allowing for Spain's first high speed rail link, would be built. The project was named N.A.F.A. (Nuevo Acceso Ferroviario a Andalucía/New Rail Link to Andalusia) and was meant to help revitalise the stagnant southern Spanish economy. The line was inaugurated on 14 April 1992 to coincide with Expo 92 being held in Seville. Seven days later on 21 April 1992 commercial service began with six daily services stopping at Madrid, Seville, Córdoba, Puertollano and Ciudad Real. In October 1992 RENFE began the AVE Lanzadera service between Madrid and Puertollano and Ciudad Real.

It has been suggested that the PSOE government chose the French Alstom bid over the Siemens and Talgo bids for political rather than technical reasons, rewarding the French government for its assistance in capturing ETA activists who took "sanctuary" across the border in southern France.[1] Seville's hosting of the 1992 World's Fair prompted its choice for the inaugural AVE line, but there were also accusations that the Spanish head of government Felipe González favoured his home city;[2] apparently, he conceded to support Barcelona in bidding for the 1992 Summer Olympics if Seville would be connected to the AVE first.[3] On the other hand, Seville is still the fifth largest city in Spain, after Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, with a population of some 700,000. It is also the capital of Andalucia — Spain's most populous Autonomous Community.

In January 1993 the Talgo 200 Madrid–Málaga service commenced, which used AVE lines as far as Córdoba and then Spanish gauge conventional track to reach Málaga. On 23 April of that year, the AVE set a new top speed of 356.8 km/h (221.7 mph) on a test run. Later in 1993 the mixed-method services Talgo 200 Madrid–Cádiz and Talgo 200 Madrid–Huelva began.

In 1994 AVE trains on the Madrid–Seville line began to run at 300 km/h, cutting journey times by 40 minutes and covering the 471 km in just 2½ hours.

Although in 1999 RENFE began a mixed-service Talgo 200 Madrid–Algeciras route, this was, along with the other mixed services, transferred to Grandes Líneas Renfe (RENFE's Spanish gauge long-distance brand) following changes to plans for high speed rail in Spain.

The last segment of the Madrid–Málaga line was completed on December 24, 2007.

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Visit to Estacion Benaoja - Montejague Railway Station

On a recent trip to the Grazalema National Park, near Ronda I had the chance to stop off at the railway station at Benaoja – Montejague which serves the two named communities in the Sierra de Ronda area. The station is on the Granada – Algerciris line and is the next station to the closed station of Estacion de la Indiana I visited recently. (See post dated 22/08/2009)

The station is surrounded by houses and a number of bars and restaurants, one of which is on the station itself. The railway facilities are kept in very good condition, well maintained, clean and tidy and presents a modern air and is a credit to Renfe and its staff.

I talked to the railway employee who was on duty in the ticket office who was very friendly and quite happy to give me information about the station and railway service. Currently there are 4 trains a day in each direction. Algeciras to Granada at 8.31, 13.45, 17.10 and 20.19 and Granada to Algeciras at 8.11, 10.24, 17.09 and 20.22.

The railway still as an important role to play as road communications in the area are still difficult. A train ride from the station is through some spectacular country and is well worth the time and most enjoyable.

Visit to Antequere Santa Maria AVE Railway Station

Visit to Antequera Santa Maria Railway Station

My wife and I called at the new AVE (high speed) station at Antequera Santa Maria, which is actually 15km from that town and is located at Colonia Sante Maria. The station is located on the new Malaga to Cordoba AVE high speed line and serves a wide catchment area. The new station has excellent facilities, with bright refreshment rooms, ticket hall, toilets and waiting areas. It also has a very large secure car park close to the station.

There are 11 departures a day to Malaga, 11 to Cordoba, 6 to Savella, 4 to Madrid and 1 to Barcelona. As with all AVE stations security was well in evidence. Security at the station is very tight with scanners and security personal about. Passengers can only reach the platforms 5 minutes before departure. The overall impression is of a very modern and well designed station that is fit for purpose.

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The Sound of Shunting Trains.

"From the railway station came the sound of shunting trains, ringing and rumbling softened almost into melody by the distance."
- Jeff Waynes Musical Version of The War Of The Worlds.