Enthusiast's Guide to Travelling the Railways of Europe

SPAIN (España)

Lines with obscure or sparse passenger services

This list is based on the service operating from the introduction of high speed standard gauge services to Barcelona on 20 February 2008. Because RENFE does not publish a national railway timetable, table numbers refer to those in the "European Timetable" published by Thomas Cook unless marked with the name of a RENFE Cercanias network, in which case it is the route number shown on the relevant Cercanias network map. Standard abbreviations used are explained in the General Information document.

Coverage is currently limited to lines known to the compilers, who would welcome information on other services that may warrant inclusion.

All the information is derived from public timetable sources and all RENFE information is available from their website; as their train services may be amended at any time, a formula is given by which relevant trains may be ascertained from that website for the date of travel. The format used is: "Trains between [station] Alpha and [station] Beta not calling at [station] Gamma". The listing of trains between Alpha and Beta is readily obtained from the RENFE website but the analysis of which of those trains do not call at Gamma has to be undertaken by the user. Remember to check both directions. For help on using the RENFE website go here.

Last update for this page: 05 May 2008.

Obscure services

La Pereda Riosa - Soto de Rey [685] (3A3, partly shown) ES08/1

South of Soto de Rey (El Portazgo) triangle, there are two separate reversibly signalled single tracks following different routes: the longer via the river valley, serving Olloniego station; the shorter via the 2.6km "new tunnel" (number 83 bis) with no intermediate station. The longer route must be used by those Regionales and Cercanías C-1 trains booked to call at Olloniego; other trains will tend to used the "new tunnel" route - although either route can be used if required for train regulation purposes.

Note: Table 685 does not list Cercanias services

Villallana - Ujo [685] (3B3, partly shown) ES08/2

There are two separate reversibly signalled single tracks (without intermediate stations) following different routes: the original (and longer) via the river valley and the shorter via the 2.5km "new tunnel" (number 81 bis) further west. Normally all northbound trains run via the tunnel, and southbound Cercanías trains via the old route.

Note: Table 685 does not list Cercanias services

El Berrón curves (FEVE) [Asturias F5, F6] (3A3, not shown) ES08/3

The Oviedo - Santander and Gijón - Laviana lines cross here on the level. Two of the three connecting curves are used by passenger trains:

• the west <=> north curve is used by a daily Oviedo - Noreña "shuttle" service; for times see FEVE website (www.feve.es/files/galeria/horarios_gallery/norena_oviedo.pdf).
• the west <=> south curve is used Mondays to Fridays only by four Laviana - Oviedo round trips; for times see FEVE website (www.feve.es/files/galeria/horarios_gallery/oviedo_laviana.pdf). Service at December 2007: 09:45, 12:20, 15:45 and 19:43 from Laviana; 10:52, 13:45, 17:45 and 20:47 from Oviedo.

Llovio - Ribadesella Puerto (FEVE) (4A2, not shown) ES08/4

This branch is used on the first Saturday in August each year (2 August in 2008) for an excursion (Tren Fluvial) from Oviedo in connection with the annual river raft race - La Fiesta de las Piraguas - from Arriondas (starting at noon) to Ribadesella. See www.spain.info/TourSpain/Eventos/Fiestas/C/BP/0/Fiesta de las Piraguas  Descenso Internacional del Sella.htm?Language=en.

Note: these trains are very popular and prior reservation is essential. The 2003 timings were: 08:15 Oviedo - Arriondas and 10:00 Ribadesella Puerto - Arriondas forming approx. 12:15 Arriondas - Ribadesella Puerto; 14:30 Ribadesella Puerto - Llovio [- Arriondas - Oviedo].

Note: FEVE reportedly has aspirations to run a regular summer tourist train from Arriondas to Ribadesella Puerto.

Amorebieta Echano - Amorebieta Geralekua (EuskoTren) (5B1) ES08/5

Most trains to or from the Bermeo branch run direct to Bilbao and use the west <=> north curve avoiding Amorebieta Echano (the main line station). On Sunday mornings (between midnight and 06:00) a two-hourly shuttle operates instead between Amorebieta Echano and Bermeo using the east-facing curve - for times see EuskoTren website www.euskotren.es/castellano/horarios/pdf/Urdaibai.pdf (4.5MB file).

Altsasu - Altsasu-Pueblo [655, 689] (6A1) ES08/6

Trains between Pamplona and Irún use this north <=> east connection.

Altsasu avoiding line: Altsasu-Pueblo - Olazti [655, 689] (6A1, not shown) ES08/7

Trains between Pamplona and Vitoria/Gasteiz use this east <=> west connection avoiding Altsasu on the south side.

P.B. Valdestillas - Valdestillas (via Valdestillas cambiador de ancho) [682] (10A1, not shown) ES08/8

This 2 km connection between the high speed line and the broad gauge line south of Valladolid is used by the following trains:

Other Alvia services to destinations north of Valladolid use the cambiador de ancho north of Valladolid Campo Grande station.

Venta de Baños avoiding line: Palencia - Magaz [682, 689] (10B2, not shown) ES08/9

Trains between Burgos and Palencia use this east <=> west line avoiding Venta de Baños on the north side.

Venta de Baños - Magaz [689] (10B2) ES08/10

Direct trains between Valladolid Campo Grande and Burgos which do not call (and reverse) at Palencia.

Miranda de Ebro avoiding line: Pancorbo - Haro [655, 682] (11B3, not shown) ES08/11

Avoiding Miranda de Ebro on the south side. Trains between Logroño and Burgos not calling at Miranda de Ebro:

Miranda de Ebro - Pobes [655, 689] (11B3, not shown) ES08/12

The branch from Miranda de Ebro to Bilbao forms what appears to be a conventional burrowing junction with the line to Irún but is in fact two separate single lines. Most trains seem to be booked to use the south side platforms and thence the "long" curve behind the depot and works and under the Irún line. Some trains are booked to use the north side platforms and thence the "short" inside curve, serving primarily the freight yard:

However, it is not unusual for trains to use a platform (and possibly also the route) other than that booked.

Burgos - Aranda de Duero - Colmenar Viejo [689] (11A1, 11A2, 11A3, 21A3) ES08/13

Trains between Madrid and Burgos via Aranda de Duero-Montecillo:

Note: These trains are shown as running only until 15 June 2008.

Cambiador Plasencia - Grisén (via Plasencia de Jalón cambiador de ancho) [650, 655] (12B1, not shown) ES08/14

This connection off the AVE high speed line west of Zaragoza is used by through trains between Madrid Atocha and Pamplona or Logroño:

Zaragoza avoiding line: Grisén - Cabañas de Ebro [650, 655] (12B1-2) ES08/15

This line links the Calatayud and Tudela de Navarra lines west of Zaragoza. Trains between Madrid Atocha and either Logrono or Pamplona and beyond not calling at Zaragoza. See ES08/14.

Zaragoza – Tardienta [656] (13A1-2) ES08/16

There is both a broad gauge and a standard gauge (not shown on the Ball atlas) line between Zaragoza and Tardienta. The standard gauge dives under the broad gauge line at Miraflores and then parallels it all the way as a single line on the west side. However, it takes a slightly different alignment at San Juan de Mozarrifar where a 2km long embankment and flyover carries it over the freight-only branch to the military installation at San Gregorio which heads westwards here.

The broad gauge line is used by all Regionales trains to and from Lleida plus the following:

D = only until 1 April 2008.

All other trains use the standard gauge line.

Note: The Tardienta - Huesca line consists of a dual gauge single track.

Zaragoza avoiding line ‘Ronda Sur’ (broad gauge): Casetas - La Cartuja (east jn) [653, 654, 655] (13A1, not shown) ES08/17

This route bypasses Zaragoza to the south and connects to the line to Reus via Caspe.

Since 25 June 2007, Estrella overnight services have been diverted via this freight only line, omitting the Zaragoza Delicias stop.

This service is shown as running only until 30 March 2008.

Zaragoza avoiding line ‘Ronda Sur’ (broad gauge): Casetas - La Cartuja (west jn) - Miraflores (east jn - north jn) [653, 654, 655] (13A1, not shown) ES08/18

This route bypasses Zaragoza to the south and connects to the Lleida line.

Since 25 June 2007, Estrella overnight services have been diverted via this freight only line, omitting the Zaragoza Delicias stop. Although the RENFE website shows a timing at Zaragoza Delicias, in fact a stop is made in each direction at Casetas for a bus connection to and from Zaragoza.

This service is shown as running only until 1 April 2008.

Zaragoza avoiding line ‘Ronda Sur’ (standard gauge) [650] (13A1, not shown) ES08/19

This 21km long line forms part of the Madrid - Barcelona high speed line, bypassing Zaragoza to the south.

High speed trains between Madrid and Barcelona not calling at Zaragoza.

Lleida avoiding line (Bif. Torres Sanui - Bif. Artesa) [650] (14A1 not shown) ES08/20

This 14 km long standard gauge line carries the Madrid - Barcelona high speed line to the south of Lleida Pirineus station.

High speed trains between Madrid and Barcelona not calling at Lleida.

Barcelona Estació de França (Bif. Clot) - Barcelona Clot Arago (Bif. Glóries) [655] (16B2, not shown) ES08/21

Some trains between Barcelona and France via Port Bou are diverted to Estació de França via this connection to avoid the use of Sants station during engineering works there for the AVE:

[Martorell] - Castellbisbal - Bif. Papiol or Aguja Km 4,104 - Rubi [Barcelona C7] (16B2, not shown correctly) ES08/22

The north - east and south - east curves of the triangle shown in the Ball atlas south of Castellbisbal are in fact unidirectional running lines each of which forms a triangular junction (not shown) with the Barcelona - Castellbisbal - Martorell line, at least 2km from each other. There is no actual junction at the eastern apex of the triangle, merely a separation of the running lines.

Trains towards Martorell use the east - north curve of the more northerly line (Rubi - Bif. Papiol - Castellbisbal); trains from Martorell head towards El Papiol and then take the north - east curve (Castellbisbal - Aguja Km 4,104 - Rubi, not shown) of the more southerly triangle.

Monfragüe - Mirabel [677] (19A1, partly shown) ES08/23

Most trains reverse at Plasencia, using the east <=> north and north <=> west (not shown in Ball) curves west of Monfragüe but these use the third (east <=> west) side of the triangle.

Trains between Navalmoral de la Mata and Cáceres not calling at Plasencia:

Since a derailment on 23 January 2008, and the consequent closure of the line west of Caceres, the following trains which normally take this route have been diverted via Salamanca and Fuentes de Oñoro. It is not known when, or even if, they will return to this route.

Madrid Chamartin - Bif. Hortaleza - Vicálvaro [671, 677] (22B3) and Vallecas - Bif. Rebolledo - Villaverde Bajo (22A2) ES08/24

These links provide access between Madrid Chamartin and the south via the line avoiding the city on the east side.

Note: Since a derailment on 23 January 2008, and the consequent closure of the line west of Caceres, these trains have been diverted via Salamanca and Fuentes de Oñoro. It is not known when, or even if, they will return to this route.

[San Fernando de Henares -] Bif. Vicálvaro Clasificación - Vicálvaro Clasificación - Vicálvaro [653] (22B3) ES08/25

It has been reported that train 373 („Costa Brava“, Port Bou - Madrid) ran this way (and then non-stop through Atocha) in May 2007. This is thought to be a regular occurrence, but confirmation of this would be welcomed and also whether or not train 370 does likewise. Note that these trains are shown as running only until 30 March 2008.

Madrid Chamartin - Bif. Hortaleza - San Fernando de Henares [653] (22A1-22B1) ES08/26

Regionales trains between Madrid Chamartin and Guadalajara not calling at Madrid Atocha.

Local (Cercanías) trains normally run via Madrid Atocha and Vallecas. However, a limited number of additional rush hour trains run via Hortaleza. The "Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid" website gives the RENFE Cercanias timetables:

• Go to www.ctm-madrid.es and click “English”;
• In the "Transport Information" block, click "Suburban Rail" and select route C2 from the list;
• Click "Departure Timetables" or "Return Timetables " for the two directions;
• Select trains highlighted in bright green and carrying the note “CIVIS”.

Madrid Delicias - Madrid Santa Catalina [- Villaverde Bajo] [671, 677, 689] (22A3) ES08/27

This line provides a link between Madrid Principe Pio and the south, avoiding the Chamartin - Atocha tunnel.

Válencia Fuente San Luis - Alfafar-Benitússer [662, 670] (30B1) ES08/28

A curve avoiding Válencia Nord used by all locomotive hauled trains passing through Válencia. For trains calling at Válencia Nord (all except 944 and 947), the curve is used between Válencia and Xativa: southbound trains propel to Fuente San Luis and take the curve; northbound trains take the curve to Fuente San Luis and then propel into Válencia Nord:

All these trains are shown as running only until 14 June 2008.

Note {1}:these trains may be routed via the Madrid area and hence part of ES08/24 rather than Valencia. Definite information on this would be welcomed.

Note: Trains run direct into and out of Válencia Nord (with reversal) if there is a need to change the locomotive but this is extremely rare.

Moixent (Bif. Alacant) - Caudete [662] (32A2, not shown) ES08/29

This 6km east <=> south connection avoiding La Encina is used by trains between Valencia and Alacant, plus:

Note {1} These trains reverse at Villena.

[Córdoba -] Sevilla Majarabique - Sevilla Santa Justa (Bif. Los Naranjos) (via Majarabique cambiador de ancho) [651, 670] (35A2, not shown) ES08/30

This connection off the AVE high speed line north of Sevilla is used by through trains between Madrid Atocha and Cádiz or Huelva, calling at Sevilla Santa Justa:

[Córdoba -] Sevilla Majarabique - Carrión de los Céspedes (Bif. San Jerónimo) (via Majarabique cambiador de ancho) (35A2, not shown) ES08/31

This connection off the AVE high speed line north of Sevilla is used by through trains between Madrid Atocha and Huelva which avoid Sevilla Santa Justa:

Sevilla Santa Justa (Bif. Expo) - Estadion (35A2, not shown) ES08/32

A branch off the Sevilla to Huelva line runs to the former Expo 92 show ground at Cartuja and is shown as line C-2 in the Cercanías zonal map.

This line is shown on the zonal map as "sin servicio de viajeros" (without passenger service) and is currently out of use. It is expected to reopen with a regular Cercanías service some time in the future.

Espeluy - Jaén branch [671] (36B3, partly shown) ES08/33

The branch is connected at Espeluy by a triangular junction of which only the west curve is shown in Ball, the east curve avoiding Espeluy having been opened since 2000. Trains between Jaén and Córdoba use the west curve, whilst those between Jaén and Linares-Baeza use the east curve.

Bobadilla avoiding line: Antequera Santa Ana - Antequera (Las Maravillas) [673] (36A2, not shown) ES08/34

This north to east curve avoiding Bobadilla is used by through Altaria services between Madrid Atocha and Granada and by Sevilla - Granada - Almeria regional services.

Moreda avoiding line: Iznalloz - Benalúa de Guadix [673] (37A2, not shown) ES08/35

Trains between Almería and Granada not calling at Moreda use this east <=> west connection avoiding Moreda on the south side.

Deletions since previous edition

Other sparse services

The following sections have services which are sparse, even by Spanish standards (fewer than three trains per day):

Last complete update 4 January 2008. Subsequent amendments: ES08/6, ES08/24, ES08/26 (was ES07/24 by mistake) & ES08/29 amended (15 January 2008); ES08/6, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26 & 28 amended to reflect timetable changes from 20 February 2008, ES08/22, 30, 31 & 32 junction names added, ES08/29 minor correction (19 February 2008); heading and ES08/18 amended (21 March 2008); ES08/8 & 28 amended (20 April 2008); ES08/2 & 12 amended (5 May 2008).

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