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 in effect in June 2010. 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: 26 July 2010.

Obscure services

La Pereda Riosa – Soto de Rey [685] (3A3, partly shown) ES10/1

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 2.6 km "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) ES10/2

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 2.5 km "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) ES10/3

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) ES10/4

This branch is used usually on the first Saturday in August each year (7 August 2010) 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/vive/fiestas/asturias/fiesta_de_las_piraguas_descenso_internacional_del_sella.html?l=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) ES10/5

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) ES10/6

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

Altsasu avoiding line: Altsasu-Pueblo – Olazti [655, 689] (6A1, not shown) ES10/7

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

León avoiding line ‘Enlace Sur’: Palanquinos - Qintana-Raneros [685] (9B3, not shown) ES10/7A

This connecting line, opened in September 2008, links the Palencia (- Madrid) line with the Astorga (- Monforte de Lemos) line south of León by means of a triangular junction at each end. Owing to engineering work for the high speed line south of León, the following Alvia services are diverted via the south <=> west curve of the eastern triangle and the east <=> west curve of the western triangle to Qintana-Raneros, where they reverse and then use the normal passenger route into León.

D1: Until 26 November 2010

León avoiding line ‘Enlace Sur’: Palanquinos - León [685] (9B3, not shown) ES10/7B

This connecting line, opened in September 2008, links the Palencia (- Madrid) line with the Astorga (- Monforte de Lemos) line south of León by means of a triangular junction at each end. Owing to engineering work for the high speed line south of León, the following trains are diverted via the south <=> west curve of the eastern triangle, the east <=> north curve of the western triangle and thence the normal Astorga passenger line into León.

D1: Until 26 November 2010

P.B. Valdestillas – Valdestillas (via Valdestillas cambiador de ancho) [682] (10A1, not shown) ES10/8

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 3, 4 and 5. 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) ES10/9

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

Venta de Baños – Magaz [689] (10B2) ES10/10

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) ES10/11

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) ES10/12

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 Montecillo – Colmenar Viejo [689] (11A1, 11A2, 11A3, 21A3) ES10/13

These are the only trains between Madrid and Burgos which run via Aranda de Duero. All others run via Valladolid.

Note: These Talgo trains were supposed to be replaced by Regionales services in April 2010 but this has not yet happened. They are now shown as running until the timetable change in December after a period of being extended on a month-by-month basis. Although their running is now somewhat more reliable it is still possible that they will be diverted via Valladolid without warning.

Cambiador Plasencia – Grisén (via Plasencia de Jalón cambiador de ancho) [650, 655] (12B1, not shown) ES10/14

This connection links the high speed line west of Zaragoza with the ‘classic’ main line. It is used by through trains between Madrid Atocha and Pamplona or Logroño:

Zaragoza avoiding line: Grisén – Cabañas de Ebro [650, 655] (12B1-2) ES10/15

This line links the Calatayud and Tudela de Navarra lines west of Zaragoza. Trains between Madrid Atocha and either Logroño or Pamplona and beyond not calling at Zaragoza. See ES10/14.

Zaragoza – Tardienta [656] (13A1-2) ES10/16

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 standard gauge line is used by the daily through train (2 trains on Sundays) between Madrid and Huesca. All other trains use the broad 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) ES10/17

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) ES10/18

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 Sant Andreu Comtal (Bif. Aigües) – Montcada Bifurcació [655] (16B2, not shown) ES10/19

A notification from RENFE dated 16 July 2010 announced discontinuation of the three Media Distancia services diverted via this connection. However, it is suspected that they never ran and were operated by buses from the start of the engineering blockade. No peak-hour Rodalies (Cercanías) services have been identified that use this connection; any information to the contrary would be welcomed.

Barcelona Estació de França (Bif. Clot) – Barcelona Clot Arago (Bif. Glóries) [655] (16B2, not shown) ES10/20

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) ES10/21

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) ES10/22

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 – Fuencarral (via Chamartín cambiador de ancho) [682] (22A3) ES10/23

This connection links the high speed line north of Chamartín with the ‘classic’ main line south to Atocha. It is used by through high speed trains between Valladolid and cities south of Madrid

Madrid Chamartín – Bif. Hortaleza – Vicálvaro [671, 677] (22B3) and Vallecas – Bif. Rebolledo – Villaverde Bajo (22A3 - 22A2) ES10/24

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

Madrid Chamartín – Bif. Hortaleza – San Fernando de Henares [653] (22A3-22B3) ES10/25

Note: Owing to construction work for the new link to Barajas Airport, trains booked by this route are diverted via Atocha Cercanias for approximately 4 months from 19 April 2010. Trains to/from Soria will run from/to Atocha Cercanias; all other Media Distancia services will continue to run from/to Chamartin via Atocha Cercanias. Cercanias 'Civis' trains without intermediate stops will be temporarily suspended for two and a half months.

Services to/from Arcos de Jalón and Zaragoza.

Services to/from Soria.

This line is used by trains between Madrid Chamartín and Guadalajara not calling at Madrid Atocha Cercanías.

Note: {1} Although these trains are shown as calling at Madrid Puerta de Atocha, this is in fact not a public stop. 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) ES10/26

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 ES10/27. It is used by all Cercanías services on routes C3 (Chamartín - Atocha - Aranjuez) and C4 (Colmenar Viejo/Alcobendas - Parla).

The routing of Regionales and Grandes Lineas services between Chamartín and Atocha Cercanías via either ES10/26 or ES10/27 is dependent on platform usage at both stations.

Madrid Chamartín – Recoletos – Madrid Atocha Cercanías (22A3) ES10/27

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 ES10/26. 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).

The routing of Regionales and Grandes Lineas services between Chamartín and Atocha Cercanías via either ES10/26 or ES10/27 is dependent on platform usage at both stations. Alvia services that pass through the Chamartín cambiador de ancho ES10/23 must use Platform 15 at Chamartín and hence this route ES10/27.

Madrid Atocha Cercanías – Atocha cambiador de ancho – Madrid Puerta de Atocha (22A3, not shown) ES10/28

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 these trains are shown as calling at Madrid Puerta de Atocha, this is in fact not a public stop. 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 – San Cristóbal Industrial [671, 677, 689] (22A3) ES10/29

This line provides a link between Madrid Principe Pio and the south, avoiding the Chamartín - Atocha tunnel. The section between Bif. Museo and San Cristóbal Industrial is common with ES10/30.

Museo del Ferrocarril (Paseo de las Delicias) – Bif. Museo – Madrid Santa Catalina – Villaverde Bajo – San Cristóbal Industrial (22A3) ES10/30

This line provides a link to the railway museum, the former Madrid Delicias terminus. The section between Bif. Museo and San Cristóbal Industrial is common with ES10/29.
It is used by the „Tren de la Fresa“ (Strawberry Train).

Timings for the „Tren de la Navidad“ (Christmas Train), which in 2009 ran to Pinto, are not yet available.

Madrid Atocha avoiding line: Guadalajara Yebes (km 12; Vallecas) – Ciudad Real Central (km 13; Los Gavilanes) (22A3) ES10/31

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

València Fuente San Luis – Alfafar-Benitússer [662, 670] (30B1) ES10/32

A curve avoiding València Nord used by all locomotive hauled trains passing through València. The curve is used between València and Xàtiva: southbound trains propel to Fuente San Luis and take the curve; northbound trains take the curve to Fuente San Luis and then propel into València Nord:

Note: Trains run direct into and out of València 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) ES10/33

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

Note {1} These trains reverse at Villena.

Moixent – Xàtiva [662] (32A2, not shown) ES10/33A

There are two separate routes on this section of the Madrid - València main line. Cercanias services use the original alignment via L’Alcúdia de Crespins whilst all other services use the new double track main line further south, in places almost 2 km distant.

[Córdoba –] Sevilla Majarabique – Sevilla Santa Justa (Bif. Los Naranjos) (via Majarabique cambiador de ancho) [651, 670] (35A2, not shown) ES10/34

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

[Córdoba –] Sevilla Majarabique – Carrión de los Céspedes (Bif. San Jerónimo) (via Majarabique cambiador de ancho) (35A2, not shown) ES10/35

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) ES10/36

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.

Córdoba (Bif. Córdoba-El Higuerón) – Puente Genil – Fuente de Piedra (36A3 - 36A2) ES10/36A

This line, part of the original ‘classic’ main line to Málaga, is now used by only a few trains, which are difficult to identify on the journey planner. These trains also take the western track between Fuente de Piedra and Bobadilla (ES10/38A):

[Córdoba –] Alcolea cambiador de ancho – Alcolea (36A3, not shown) ES10/37

This connection links the high speed line east of Córdoba with the ‘classic’ main line via Linares-Baeza. It is used by through high speed trains between Córdoba and Jaén:

Espeluy – Jaén branch [671] (36B3, partly shown) ES10/38

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.

Fuente de Piedra – Antequera Santa Ana (Bif. Cambiador) (36A2, partly shown) ES10/38A

There are two separate lines southwards from Fuente de Piedra, the original western track (“Linea actual Córdoba - Málaga”) and the newer eastern track ("Eje transversal de Andalucia") which takes a straighter alignment, almost 1 km away in places. Although the layout permits trains to/from Bobadilla to access both routes they appear to be operated as separate single lines: trains to/from Bobadilla use the western track and trains to/from Antequera the eastern track.

Antequera Santa Ana – Antequera cambiador de ancho - Antequera (Bif. Cambiador) [673] (36A2, not shown) ES10/39

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

Bobadilla avoiding line: Antequera Santa Ana (Bif. Cambiador) – Antequera (Bif. Las Maravillas) [673] (36A2, not shown) ES10/40

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

Moreda avoiding line: Iznalloz (Bif. Almería) – Benalúa de Guadix (Bif. Granada) [673] (37A2, not shown) ES10/41

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 10 January 2010. Subsequent amendments: ES10/6, ES10/13, ES10/14, ES10/19, ES10/28, ES10/31, ES10/33, ES10/34, ES10/39 and ES10/40 amended; ES10/33A, ES10/36A and ES10/38A added (14 April 2010); ES10/8, ES10/13, ES10/25 & ES10/30 amended (12 May 2010); ES10/13 amended; ES10/7A and ES10/7B added; note added to sparse service 677 (2 July 2010); ES10/19 amended (25/26 July 2010).

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