Fury over restoration vandalism at Almería’s historic train station

A planned restoration of Almería’s train station has caused outrage after it was noticed that historic elements have been cemented over A long awaited restoration of Almería’s historic train station has caused much controversy after it was noticed that elements of the façade have been crudely cemented over. The historic building saw scaffolding go up this week as the first phase of a much needed restoration project started. Works carried out by building company Jarquil Continue reading Fury over restoration vandalism at Almería’s historic train station

Almería AVE to be privately run

The government has said it is planning to privatise the Almeria – Valencia – Madrid AVE high speed train line, and this will be the first in Spain to be privatised. The Valencia – Madrid line will be the first bit to be privatised. Then, as the line is opened down to Murcia and eventually Almería, these bits will be added to the concession. The government is still working on the privatisation tender, but hopes Continue reading Almería AVE to be privately run

It’s official: the AVE will be single line only in Almeria

The government has announced that Almería will be the only AVE line in Spain that is single line only, in a shock announcement that seems to confirm that the expect traffic will be light, and that Almería won’t be connected to the rest of Andalucia by train. There are other bits of single line AVEs in Spain, but no other line will have single line platforms. The government has confirmed that all stations on the Continue reading It’s official: the AVE will be single line only in Almeria

AVE back on – Pulpí to Cuevas line to be contracted out in October!

The government announced this morning in the Senate that an 86 million euro tender to build a further 12,2 km stretch of AVE high speed railway between Pulpí and Cuevas del Almanzora will be issued in October. It’s pure propaganda ahead of next years elections, but welcome none the less, I suppose. The Almeria – Murcia line is divided up into many different section. The Cabrera tunnel section is finished, as is the Sorbas – Continue reading AVE back on – Pulpí to Cuevas line to be contracted out in October!

Quiet carriages introduced to the AVE

That most treasured hang-over from British Rail days, the “silent carriage” has finally arrived to Spains most treasured transport institution – the AVE (high speed train network) will start having shaduppaurface carriages. Mobile phones will be prohibited inside these temples to silence, lights will be dimmed and the official announcements turned down to a whisper.

Leaked railways document confirms no plans for Almeria’s AVE

A leaked document from ADIF, the railways operator, that Ideal newspaper got hold of, appears to confirm that those in power have no plans whatsoever to continue with the Almeria high speed train link. “Not one cent more for the railway in the province” according to Ideal. The document, which is a high level strategy document adjusting the national strategy for railways, says that the AVE to Murcia should be finished off, and then the Continue reading Leaked railways document confirms no plans for Almeria’s AVE

RENFE to be broken up and private companies allowed onto Spanish railways

The government has announced that it is to break RENFE, the national railways operator, up into four distinct business groups, and will permit private groups to operate rail services in Spain. The operation will be complete by July 2013. Spain currently has three public companies operating its railways: Renfe, the train operator, FEVE, which operates narrow gauge lines and ADIF, which maintains the network. FEVE will be dissolved and its operations passed to Adif and Continue reading RENFE to be broken up and private companies allowed onto Spanish railways

Well, the AVE has been saved by Europe

Well, what do you know. Europe has, somewhat to my surprise, agreed to add the corredor mediterraneo to its European network plan, and will finish off the line. In fact, it’ s written a huge cheque to underwrite the Spanish and Portugese railways. The coastal line will run through the provinces of Barcelona, Tarragona, Castellón, Valencia, Alicante, Murcia and Almería before diverting inland to Granada and carrying on to Seville. The EU will pay for Continue reading Well, the AVE has been saved by Europe

Almería – Madrid train line upgraded

RENFE, the train company, has just launched its new Talgo 334 engine, which apparantly shaves 30 minutes off the Almería to Madrid train travel time. It now only takes 6 hours and 20 minutes by train to Madrid. The time saving is gained by the fact that you no longer have to stop at the Linares – Baeza station to change engines – the new engines, capable of up to 200KPH, can use the same Continue reading Almería – Madrid train line upgraded