Enthusiast's Guide to Travelling the Railways of Europe

SPAIN (España)

Lines with obscure or sparse passenger services

This list is based on the timetable which came into effect on 14 December 2008. Because RENFE does not publish a printed 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 June 2009.

Obscure services

La Pereda Riosa – Soto de Rey [685] (3A3, partly shown) ES09/1

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) ES09/2

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) ES09/3

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 (i) a daily Oviedo - Noreña "shuttle" service; for times see FEVE website (www.feve.es/horarios_tmp/1031-1032.pdf ) and (ii) non-stop Oviedo - Gijón services (www.feve.es/horarios_tmp/5001-5002.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/horarios_tmp/1033-1034.pdf and look for services highlighted in yellow, denoting “Laborables de lunes a viernes, directo”.

Llovio – Ribadesella Puerto (FEVE) (4A2, not shown) ES09/4

This branch is used usually on the first Saturday in August each year (but on 8 August in 2009) 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) ES09/5

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) ES09/6

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

Altsasu avoiding line: Altsasu-Pueblo – Olazti [655, 689] (6A1, not shown) ES09/7

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) ES09/8

This 2 km connection between the high speed line and the broad gauge line south of Valladolid is used by some Alvia high speed trains between Madrid and Valladolid. These trains can be identified from the platform departure sheets at Valladolid Campo Grande by their use of the broad gauge platforms. In general, northbound Alvia high speed trains booked to arrive in Valladolid less than 20 minutes after the departure of a southbound standard gauge train will probably use the Valdestillas cambiador de ancho.

The following trains are booked by this route:

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) ES09/9

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

Venta de Baños – Magaz [689] (10B2) ES09/10

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) ES09/11

This west <=> south curve is used by trains between Logroño and Burgos which do not call at Miranda de Ebro:

Miranda de Ebro – Pobes [655, 689] (11B3, not shown) ES09/12

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 are booked to use the south side platforms (and hence the "long" curve behind the depot and works and under the Irún line) but some are booked to use the north side platforms (and hence the "short" inside curve). The platform usage can be identified from the platform departure sheets.

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

Burgos Rosa de Lima (Bif. Madrid-Burgos) – Aranda de Duero – Colmenar Viejo [689] (11A1, 11A2, 11A3, 21A3) ES09/13

This line has been without trains since 26 August 2008 owing to construction work at the northern end on the new link to the Variante de Burgos. However trains between Madrid and Burgos via Aranda de Duero-Montecillo restarted on 26 January 2009.

Cambiador Plasencia – Grisén (via Plasencia de Jalón cambiador de ancho) [650, 655] (12B1, not shown) ES09/14

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

Note that some of the above trains have a pattern of days of operation too complex to detail here; only the basic pattern is noted.

Zaragoza avoiding line: Grisén – Cabañas de Ebro [650, 655] (12B1-2) ES09/15

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 ES09/14.

Zaragoza – Tardienta [656] (13A1-2) ES09/16

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 Talgo, Estrella and Regionales trains to and from Lleida plus the following:

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’ (standard gauge) [650] (13A1, not shown) ES09/17

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

High speed trains to and from Barcelona not calling at Zaragoza.

Lleida avoiding line: (Bif. Torres Sanui – Bif. Artesa) [650] (14A1 not shown) ES09/18

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/Zaragoza and Barcelona not calling at Lleida.

Barcelona Estació de França (Bif. Clot) – Barcelona Clot Arago (Bif. Glóries) [655] (16B2, not shown) ES09/19

Some trains between Barcelona and France via Port Bou were diverted to Estació de França via this connection with effect from 17 October 2005 to reduce the usage of Sants station during engineering works there for the high speed line. These trains are still using this route.

[Martorell] – Castellbisbal – Bif. Papiol or Aguja Km 4,104 – Rubi [Barcelona C7] (16B2, not shown correctly) ES09/20

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) ES09/21

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

Madrid Chamartín – Bif. Hortaleza – Vicálvaro [671, 677] (22B3) and Vallecas – Bif. Rebolledo – Villaverde Bajo (22A3 - 22A2) ES09/22

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

 [San Fernando de Henares –] Bif. Vicálvaro Clasificación – Vicálvaro Clasificación – Vicálvaro [653] (22B3) ES09/23

It was reported that train 373 („Costa Brava“, Port Bou - Madrid Chamartín) ran this way (and then non-stop through Atocha) in May 2007. This train was probably diverted during engineering work north of Madrid Chamartín prior to the opening of the Madrid - Valladolid HSL but now runs via ES09/24.

Madrid Chamartín – Bif. Hortaleza – San Fernando de Henares [653] (22A3-22B3) ES09/24

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

Note: {1} Although these trains call unadvertised at Madrid Puerta de Atocha, the strict security enforced by the Spanish authorities makes it almost certain that access will be impossible there.

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 in the block headed “Trenes CIVIS”.

Madrid Chamartín – Sol – Madrid Atocha Cercanías (22A3) ES09/25

This line via the tunnel opened on 9 July 2008 is connected to platforms 5 - 7 at Atocha Cercanías and to platforms 1 - 6 at Chamartín. Platform 5 at Atocha Cercanías and Platform 6 at Chamartín are connected also to ES09/26. It is used by all Cercanías services on routes C3 (Chamartín - Atocha - Aranjuez) and C4 (Colmenar Viejo/Alcobendas - Parla) plus the following trains:

Madrid Chamartín – Recoletos – Madrid Atocha Cercanías (22A3) ES09/26

This line via the original tunnel is is connected to platforms 1 - 5 at Atocha Cercanías and to platforms 6 - 15 at Chamartín. Platform 5 at Atocha Cercanías and Platform 6 at Chamartín are connected also to ES09/25. It used by all Cercanías services on routes C2 (Guadalajara - Chamartín), C7 (Alcalá de Henares - Atocha - Chamartín - Principe Pio - Chamartín) and C8 (Atocha - El Escorial/Cercedilla) plus Regionales and Grandes Lineas services which do not use ES09/25.

Note: Platform 15 at Chamartín is used by Alvia services that pass through the cambiador de ancho north of the station.

Madrid Atocha Cercanías – Atocha cambiador de ancho – Madrid Puerta de Atocha (22A3, not shown) ES09/26A

This line connects Atocha Cercanías to the Atocha gauge changer and thence to the Puerta de Atocha terminus. It is used by overnight services between Barcelona and Andalucia, which take the ‘classic’ main line between Zaragoza and Madrid Chamartín but the standard gauge high speed line to and from Córdoba. The trains propel in both directions between Puerta de Atocha and Atocha cambiador de ancho, where they reverse. Although they call unadvertised at Madrid Puerta de Atocha, the strict security enforced by the Spanish authorities makes it almost certain that access will be impossible there.

Madrid Delicias – Madrid Santa Catalina [– Villaverde Bajo] [671, 677, 689] (22A3) ES09/27

This line provides a link between Madrid Principe Pio and the south, avoiding the Chamartín - Atocha tunnel. The section between Bif. Museo and Madrid Santa Catalina is common with ES09/28.

Museo del Ferrocarril (Paseo de las Delicias) – Bif. Museo – Madrid Santa Catalina [– Villaverde Bajo] (22A3) ES09/28

This line provides a link to the railway museum, the former Madrid Delicias terminus. The section between Bif. Museo and Madrid Santa Catalina is common with ES09/27.

In 2009 the „Tren de la Fresa“ (Strawberry Train) to Aranjuez starts and finishes at the Delicias museum, running via the above link to the main line to the south.

D1: 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 31 May; 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 June; 19, 20, 26, 27 September; 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 October; 1 November 2009.

Madrid Atocha avoiding line: Guadalajara Yebes (km 12; Vallecas) – Ciudad Real Central (km 13; Los Gavilanes) (22A3) ES09/29

This curve connecting the Madrid - Barcelona and Madrid - Sevilla high speed lines is used by direct services between Barcelona and Andalucia.

Válencia Fuente San Luis – Alfafar-Benitússer [662, 670] (30B1) ES09/30

A curve avoiding Válencia Nord used by all locomotive hauled trains passing through Válencia. 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:

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) ES09/31

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) ES09/32

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) ES09/33

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) – Cartuja (35A2, not shown) ES09/34

A branch off the Sevilla - Huelva line runs to the former Expo 92 show ground at Cartuja and is shown as line C-2 in the Cercanías zonal map. However, enquiries on the Cercanías website result in no passenger service being shown. It is expected to reopen with a regular Cercanías service some time in the future.

Espeluy – Jaén branch [671] (36B3, partly shown) ES09/35

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.

Antequera Santa Ana – Antequera cambiador de ancho) - Bobadilla, north junction [673] (36A2, not shown) ES09/35A

This connection off the AVE high speed line is used by through Altaria services between Madrid Atocha and either Granada or Algeçiras.

Bobadilla avoiding line: Antequera Santa Ana – Antequera (Bif. Las Maravillas) [673] (36A2, not shown) ES09/36

This north <=> east curve avoiding Bobadilla is used by through Altaria services between Madrid Atocha and Granada and by Sevilla - Granada - Almería regional services.

Moreda avoiding line: Iznalloz (Bif. Almería) – Benalúa de Guadix (Bif. Granada) [673] (37A2, not shown) ES09/37

Trains between Granada and Almería not calling at Moreda use this west <=> east 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 7 January 2009. Subsequent amendments: ES09/3, ES09/11, ES09/23, ES09/24, ES09/25, ES09/26, ES09/29, ES09/30 and "Other sparse services" amended (8 February 2009). ES09/26A and ES09/35A added and ES09/3, ES09/08, ES09/22, ES09/24, ES09/29 and ES09/32 amended (1 June 2009). ES09/6, ES09/8, ES09/11, ES09/17, ES09/24, ES09/26A, ES09/27, ES09/28 and ES09/29 amended (5 June 2009).

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