In response to requests from partners in the Spanish Forum, I have decided to open this new thread to share graphic and technical information about this milestone in the Spanish transport system.

This project has been on the government´s mind for many years. It has suffered changes, some of them subtle and others of significance. In the late nineties, it was decided that Madrid and Valladolid should be connected by means of a new high speed railway line (from here on, HSL), designed for exclusive passenger traffic, international gauge and a commercial speed of 350 km/h.

By 1999 the itinerary was clear. The HSL should depart Chamartín (north Madrid´s main station) to head north until reaching Colmenar. Then it would start to break left into the West, crossing mountains and shallow valleys until it faced Guadarrama, Madrid´s natural northern border.

In order to cross these mountains, two massive tunnels were needed to be built. With a length of 28+ km each, they stand as the world´s fifth longest tunnels. Once the HSL reaches the province of Segovia at the other side of the mountain, most of the difficulties have been dealt with.

As it crosses the provinces of Segovia and Valladolid, in the heart of the once great Castilla, the HSL stays stuck to the ground for most of the time, combining very long straight stretches with slight turns.

Here´s a diagram of the HSL (taken from the Spanish magazine Vía Libre):

http://img320.imageshack.us/img320/3181/lavmadvall3pv.jpg

To make it easier to explain, I will divide the line´s itinerary in 2 main stretches, starting from Spain´s capital:

B]MADRID – SEGOVIA:[/B]

These 66.2 km are by far the most complex of this new infrastructure. About 2/3 of it include either a tunnel or a viaduct. These deserve to be highlighted:

1. San Pedro Tunnels: these 9 km twin tunnels are the line´s second longest. They cross the Cerro de San Pedro (a peak of 1425 m) from east to west. Right as I write these words, perforation has reached about 40%. Works should be finished in 12 months time.
2. Immediately after the San Pedro tunnels, a huge viaduct is being built over Arroyo del Valle. Despite its not excessive length (1740 m), it stands out for its height and spectacular central arch.
3. Few miles after Arroyo del Valle, the HSL crosses another viaduct and reaches Guadarrama. Another two twin tunnels have been perforated here, with a total length of 28.6 km each and a cost of over 1300 M €. They are the longest tunnels ever built in the history of Spain. Perforation was concluded last May.

The line exits the world of darkness, now in the province of Segovia, and heads for the province´s capital. The town´s new station is being built right now.

SEGOVIA – VALLADOLID:

This stretch is significantly longer than the other: 110 km. The HSL stays stuck to the ground for most of the time, combining very long straights with soft and open turns. It crosses pine forests and agricultural lands, up until the time the line reaches Olmedo, some 40 km away from Valladolid.

Here, the line will split in two main axis:

1. A new HSL line to Galicia (completion projected around 2010).
2. The main axis to Valladolid, which will be the keylock for a future high speed access to Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country (and France).

Works are underway in most of the line, except the accesses to the two main capitals. In Madrid´s case, it is much easier, as much of the itinerary “flows” through State-owned ground.

On the other hand, the works in Valladolid are much more complicated. The arrival of the high speed trains will imply a global operation in the city, with a budget of 540 M €. These are its main figures:

1. The current rail tracks are due to be buried underground in a urban tunnel of 5+ km. This operation has been delayed due to political reasons, and trains will use an outdoor access until the tunnel is finished.
2. A new underground station is projected, but it will preserve the current building, a beautiful 19th century stone building.
3. The ground liberated by the burying of the rail tracks and the demolition of the current Renfe´s central workshop are to be dedicated to business, administration and private housing. This new urban area, consisting of more than 800.000 square metres, will be designed by Richard Rogers.
4. Other operations: 750.000+ square metres. They include:
• New Central Workshop (TCR): maintenance and construction of trains, including the new Velaro high speed train built by Siemens.
• New R+D center, which will dedicate its efforts essentially to track technologies.
• New intermodal cargo station.
5. New freight by-pass.

Operations in Valladolid have been delayed by conflicts between the administrations implied in the project, so it will be necessary to build a provisional surface track for high speed trains in order to fulfil the projects´s completion date in 2007.

In the next few posts, I´ll illustrate the progress of the works with pictures.

In addition, I would like to introduce you to the new trains that will be running across this very important line:

LONG DISTANCE, VERY HIGH SPEED, UIC gauge (350 kph):

* Talgo 350 / AVE S-102: Buily by Talgo and powered by Bombardier.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/116/s102encurva3or.jpg

Another one:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/8996/s1028wj.jpg

* Siemens Velaro / AVE S-103: Built by Siemens AG (first unit assembled in September 2005).

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/1721/aves103zuggr9iv.jpg

LONG DISTANCE, HIGH SPEED, variable gauge (250-70 kph):

* CAF / AVE S-120: Built by CAF.

http://img277.imageshack.us/img277/9735/s1204zu.jpg

* Talgo TRAVCA / AVE S-130: Built by Talgo, consists of a new locomotive (L-9202) and 7 series talgo carriages.

http://img277.imageshack.us/img277/4645/travcapruebas3an.jpg


REGIONAL TRAFFIC, HIGH SPEED, UIC gauge (250 kph):

* CAF-Alsthom Iris / AVE S-104. Built by CAF & Alsthom.

http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/8131/s1042yv.jpg

In some 10 years or so, Spain should be a great place for high speed lovers. I hope that will be the case.

Greetings,

Alberto

PD: Iwant to thank some users of Tranvia.org for their train pics.

Last Sunday, as I spent the weekend in Valladolid (my home town), I took a ride to visit the Works of the Madrid-Valladolid HSL, focusing in the stretch located between the villages of Olmedo and Matapozuelos, both in the province of Valladolid.

Just in case any of you want to spend a good time over there, as I did, I´ll sum up my itinerary, with pictures and their location.

First Stop: Matapozuelos (VA 405, pk 19)

As you approach Matapozuelos from Valdestillas driving through the mentioned VA 405 road, there´s a small parking place in which you could leave your car. The fence was open, so I could clima up to the track. Works are going fast here, electrification is pretty much advanced. Signalling is undone yet.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/4214/apiedevasentidosegoviay21gi.jpg

Here a close-up of one of the poles:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/9318/detallepostes2bh.jpg

This next picture shows you a close-up of the HSL, and the Madrid-Irún far at the back. If you look carefully, an important stock of dual-gauge crossbeams is being gathered in the Iberian gauge line:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/6146/lav1erplanoylneamadridirn4ji.jpg

Second Stop: bridge over the HSL at Matapozuelos (VA 405, pk 20)

A one minute´s drive will take you to this nice photographic spot. It has a good panoramic view of both lines, and it shall be a great spot when the line is completed, seeing the high speed trains steam down a very open curve coming from Segovia.

To Valladolid:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/3027/lavymadridirndesdeelpuentesent.jpg

To Segovia:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/194/curvnmatapozuelossentidosegovi.jpg

This is the curve I was talking about. From this side of the bridge you can also see the old line wind, with beautiful shots of trains if your camera allows it.

Back to the car, I drive through Matapozuelos on my way to Olmedo.

Third Stop: bridge over the HSL at La Mejorada (VA 405, pk 32.600)

Driving to Olmedo, you must take an exit on your right-hand side, named as “La Mejorada”. 500 metres on, you´ll find another bridge over the FSL. Watch out for the wrinklers!!. These are the pictures, once again in both directions:

To Valladolid:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/6289/lavvistalateral6li.jpg

To Segovia:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/2280/lavsentidosegovia0jy.jpg

On your left you can see a big electric substation, which powers the HSL.

Back to the car again. We leave for Olmedo.

Fourth Stop: Olmedo´s building base (CL 602, pk 75)

Once you reach Olmedo, you must drive to Medina. At Olmedo´s exit, You´ll find the base. Here are a few pictures:

From the outside:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/3897/basedemontajeolmedo67oh.jpg

Crossing the road you find this warehouse, closet o the old Segovia-Medina railway.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/5353/navealotroladodelabasedemontaj.jpg

From the inside:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/7469/basedemontajeolmedo114ru.jpg

A close-up:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/7721/prticosyva9jt.jpg

We get back in the car for the last time, and we sep driving to Medina del Campo searching ADIF´s (the state-owned company that builds the Spanish rail-system) test track.

Fifth Stop: ADIF´s test track (CL 602, pk 71.400)

On your way from Olmedo, you´ll fin don your right hand side an exit named “La Zarza”. You´ll be facing 2 tracks now; take the one on the left, the one that climbs slightly uphill and alter some 400 metres you shall see the test track and a big blue warehouse that is shown in the next picture:

Warehouse:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/2469/navedebasedemontajemscerca8kd.jpg

This railway has triple track (for international and iberian gauges):

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/6493/detalle3ercarril2xd.jpg

Looking to Olmedo, you can enjoy a nice steel bridge over the Adaja river:

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/7787/puentedeladaja2sentidoolmedo8g.jpg

This way about it, more or less. The ride takes about 3 hours, back and go, from Valladolid. I have plenty of more pictures, anyone interested can post in this thread or send me a private message.

Greetings,

Alberto

wow wonderful images! cant wait to see the train running on that tracks :)

As I Intend to watch the progress of the works throughout the whole line, I made a little excursion to take a look of what´s being done in the province of Madrid. This works comprehend the stretch between the M-40 highway and the huge tunnels that are being drilled under the Guadarrama mountains.

The trip started at Madrid, following in its first steps the highway to Colmenar Viejo (M-607).

First Stop: El Goloso Station (M-607, pk 18-)

In the outskirts of this small station, and alter many months of show development of the Project, Works are fully underway now. The HSL runs parallel to the conventional line for a while, heading for the town of Tres Cantos, before it makes it to El Goloso Station.

Arriving (looking towards Madrid):

http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/5275/lneadecercanasylavsentidomadri.jpg

The HSL makes a soft turn to the right, and drives through a small tunnel as it makes its way to Colmenar (looking to Valladolid):

http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/3891/lavtraslabifurcacinsentidovall.jpg

The HSL stays closet o the conventional line through El Goloso Station, but alter some 800 metres it turns to the east, searching what will be an underground crossing with the M-607 highway:

http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/5791/tneleselgolososentidovalladoli.jpg

We jump in the car again and drive for a few minutes, until the HSL line has already crossed under the highway to place itself east or the road.

Second Stop: Soto de Viñuelas (M-607, pk 26)

Just as you drive past exit 24, you´ll face a long staright Hawai. At the end of it, you´ll see a small exit on your right, with a small track that goes under the conventional line. Park your car and walk down the shallow valley that is in front of you…the reward are some good views:

Far back you can see the underground crossing of the HSL and the Colmenar highway. As you must have guessed, the picture has been taking looking towards Madrid:

http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/9936/trazatnelbajolam6079oi.jpg

Looking in the other way, you can see the HSL driving downhill towards San Pedro:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4710/trazasentidovalladolid6cv.jpg

Back at the wheel, as we head for a big viaduct that leads up to the San Pedro tunnels.

Third Stop: UTE Vías (M-607, pk 30)

Almost arriving Colmenar, we must exit the highway and follow a miserable road. Watch out not to get your car to the very end of the road, as it narrows dramatically and it´s hard to turn around.

At least, the view is very much worth it:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6536/viaductolasviuelas5av.jpg

A bit closer:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1760/viaductodelasviuelascloser4ll.jpg

Let´s go to San Pedro.

Fourth Stop: West entrance, San Pedro tunnels (M-104, pk 3)

As you take the road to San Agústín de Guadalix, you´ll find the west entrance to the tunnels, second longest of the line, only to those at Guadarrama. This entrance (from which huge drills are advancing) has heavy security measures, and pictures are very hard to take. I talked to the Technical Director, a very nice man, but this part of the works is covered in a veil of secrecy.

Despite everything, I was able to take this one (sorry for its poor content, i wish i had an USB for my memories):

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8942/transportadoraeiniciodelaboca8.jpg

Back in the car, let´s see the exit of the tunnel. This is what the tunnels need to cross:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9264/macizodesanpedro1kd.jpg

Up in the distance you can see San Pedro´s peak. It stands 1.425 metres above sea level.

Fifth Stop: East entrance, San Pedro tunnels (M-625, pk 8.500)

This entrance is much more accesible, and it´s right next to the road. It has spectacular views!!!

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6870/bocaestemscerca1pl.jpg

Deep into the works. Take a look at the huge fans that feed the tunnels with fresh air.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9636/bocaesteventilacin2zm.jpg

We now face the impressive viaduct of Arroyo del Valle; it looks like this from East San Pedro working base.
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4370/utesanpedroesteconelviaductoal.jpg

The entrance looks like this from the other side of the valley:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9616/salidasanpedroestefaraway4xx.jpg

Sixth Stop: Arroyo del Valle Viaduct (access from M-625 & M-608)

The structure can be shot from both sides of the valley, and it´s also posible to walk down to its very foundations. I have discovered a delicious holm oak forest with great views of the viaduct, where you can enjoy wild life as well as you admire this milestone of spanish engineering. Here are a few examples:

Board construction:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8298/avancetableroyarcadacentraldes.jpg

Viaduct, going uphill to San Pedro, destination Madrid (the Works advance this way too):

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1039/viaductosubiendohaciasanpedro2.jpg

Now, as it goes down to Guadarrama, destination Valladolid:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6353/viaductohaciaguadarrama8op.jpg

The central arch, a great example of engineering:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4056/arcadacentraly22cc.jpg

Take a look at the steel wires that lock the central arch to the adjacent pillars while the joint is secured. That is precisely what was going on at that moment (see the worker up there?).

The arch and the board being built:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2881/armaduradeltablerodetalle1oc.jpg

Seventh Stop: Guadarrama & Soto del Real (access from M-608 & M-611)

First of all, just as you pass under the HSL, park your car at the first exit you see (just metres away from the HSL). This is what you´ll be able to see:

Track, towards Valladolid:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/382/trazasentidovalladolidy24zy.jpg

You might distinguish far beyond that truck the entrance of the Guadarrama tunnels. Here´s a closer view:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7761/trazabocasdeguadarrama4mc.jpg

As we head to the entrance by car through the Miraflores road (M-611), we get to see the viaduct being risen just before Spain´s longest tunnels. Here it is:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/548/viaductoprevioaguadarrama7yn.jpg

We have finally arriven at the Guadarrama working base (UTE). Security is also heavy here and this time I had no time to spend, so I couldn´t get to the entrance of the tunnels. I say goodbye with this last pic:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8813/cartelesyuteguadarrama5pz.jpg

It has been a great ride. For any requests, send me a private message.

I promise some more!!!

Alberto

I want to explain a couple more things about Arroyo del Valle:

As I told you, the arch´s joint was being secured. Here you can see more clearly the worker responsible for it. The concrete was taken up there by a crane. See it?

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1728/arcadacentradetalle1bq.jpg

If you head down the valley, you find a beautiful mediterranean forest, with rich variety of Quercus sp (many species of what you call oaks). There´s also a farm with peaceful cows (no bullfighting, I promise ;)); it´s a perfect place to enjoy nature and engineering, two of my greatest passions. Here´s an example:

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/3853/viaductoyencinar3oq.jpg

Last but not least important, I want to show you what you can see once you cross the viaduct towards Valladolid. If you look back to San Pedro, here´s what you´ll see:

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/2990/trazasentidomadrid5qf.jpg

Greetings,

Alberto

Thanks to Carretero´s help (another colleague from the spanish forum), I can share with all of you this wider view of one of the great viaducts in Spain:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6774/viaductodelarroyodelvaller0vf.jpg

On the left hand side, you can see the HSL hit the ground and head straight to Guadarrama. It´ll cross yet another viaduct before it dissapears into the mountains.

As you see, the board is being built from the Guadarrama side, and every section of the board implies around 4 weeks of hard work. The reinforced steel frame used for this purpose is huge, close to 150 feet long.

There are still some pillars missing between the central arch and San Pedro. Far to the right you can see the works of the tunnels….that is San Pedro´s entrance: in some 100 metres the trains will exit total darkness to fly very high and very fast. If you close your eyes, you can almost see it.

The visit is really worth it. I´ll soon repeat it to check the progress of the works.

Greetings,

Alberto

Wow, great progress on the high speed rail line! The landscape looks lot like California! It reminds me of North California near Oregon state line. The trees are a little different, but same kind of landscape, sort of.

The trees you see are mainly holm-oaks.
(oak= in spanish: "roble")
(holm-oak= in spanish :"encina")

Amazing Photos and a great new high speed link for Spain :)

I look with envy and wonder how much longer my country will be without high speed rail. The ACELA just does not cut it for me. >(

Just to give a little bit of background on why Spain is so agressivle following through with high speed rail.

Several factors influenced the construction of the older network. Legend has it that when Spain was building its rail network, that is wanted to prevent the use of the network in a future French invasion (Napoleon's invasion of Spain in the early 1800s effectively ended the 300 year old Spanish imperial period, although it would continue limping on until 1898). So, it constructed its rails to be a different gauge, now called the Iberian gauge (as Portugal adopted the same gauge too). In addition, Spain is an EXTREMELY mountainous country, so narrow 1.000 m gauges were used extensively in the mountainous North.

In post-EU-accession Spain, this difference in gauge has been a significant hindrance. Interestate commerce with the French border is always slowed up as trains switch their gauge when crossing the border or when passengers (or goods) have to switch trains. Thus, highways that cross the French border are perenially clogged with passengers and commerce that is avoiding the inefficient border crossing.

In most European countries, there is talk about whether or not to construct new rail or adapt conventional rail for higher speed traffic. However, Spain needed (and still needs) to modernize its rail infrastructure to meet the European gauge. So, in Spain, given that the entire infrastructure essentially needs to be redone, they almost have the luxury of starting from scratch. So these new lines will be already built for high speed capacity, inaddition to being the European gauge for connections into France.

While the obvious beneficiary of this project (parts of which are funded by the EU) is Spain, there are also other benefits as well to the rest of Europe. It opens up to the southern part of France more of Spain and its markets. In addition, this network would connect some of the around 10 large ports in Spain, allowing for shipment points to and from the rest of the world to and from the rest of Europe. Plus, it helps the EU reduce its emission of carbon by decreasing the number of passenger and commercial trips by road and putting them on rails.

Here is a map of the future high speed rail network in Spain:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/zolty/MiFo/PEIT2020_FV07_2005.jpg

Lines in red are the high speed passenger only lines of AVE (Alta Velocidad Espanola, or "Spanish highspeed") network traveling at a maximum speed of 350 km/h. The blue lines will be for mixed high speed and freight transport allowing for passenger speeds of 250 km/h.

Parts of the entire project are not formalized definitively. For example, there already exists a rail link between the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, with the Spanish capital, Madrid. However, it operates only an overnight service given the large distance between the cities. Right now, the line between the two cities is slated to be a mixed speed max velocity of 250 km/h, but it may actually be converted to a passenger only 350 km/h line, with the current rail line between the cities being used exclusively for commerce.

Overall, in 15 years time, Spain will have one of the most sleek and high speed train systems not only in Europe, but the world. :)

amazing :)

Just to give a little bit of background on why Spain is so agressivle following through with high speed rail.

Several factors influenced the construction of the older network. Legend has it that when Spain was building its rail network, that is wanted to prevent the use of the network in a future French invasion (Napoleon's invasion of Spain in the early 1800s effectively ended the 300 year old Spanish imperial period, although it would continue limping on until 1898). So, it constructed its rails to be a different gauge, now called the Iberian gauge (as Portugal adopted the same gauge too). In addition, Spain is an EXTREMELY mountainous country, so narrow 1.000 m gauges were used extensively in the mountainous North.



This, I´m afraid, is not true. It has become a "lie" of very common use, but it does not explain the reasons of the particular iberian gauge.

After the liberal revolution in the 1830´s, growing interest was placed on railroads as a way to modernize both the economy and the whole country. This interest reached its peak when the left-wing party "liberales progresistas", lead by O´Donnell, reached power in 1854.

In 1855 the Railway Act (Ley de los ferrocarriles) was enabled. Between many other aspects, it established that all iberian railways shoul have a gauge of 1.668mm. The reasons for this was that, as Spains´s is the second most mountainous country in Europe, locomotives needed to be extremely powerful.

To achieve that power, the locomotive´s boiler had to be bigger than those of the other locomotives running throughout Europe. Tis bigger boiler, as was thought at the time, forced locomotives to have a greater distance between axis. As time proved, this wrong statement was a huge curse for spanish railways for many years, helping to the commercial isolation that Spain suffered basically until the late 1960´s.

Sorry for that, Donqui!!

This, I´m afraid, is not true. It has become a "lie" of very common use, but it does not explain the reasons of the particular iberian gauge.

After the liberal revolution in the 1830´s, growing interest was placed on railroads as a way to modernize both the economy and the whole country. This interest reached its peak when the left-wing party "liberales progresistas", lead by O´Donnell, reached power in 1854.

In 1855 the Railway Act (Ley de los ferrocarriles) was enabled. Between many other aspects, it established that all iberian railways shoul have a gauge of 1.668mm. The reasons for this was that, as Spains´s is the second most mountainous country in Europe, locomotives needed to be extremely powerful.

To achieve that power, the locomotive´s boiler had to be bigger than those of the other locomotives running throughout Europe. Tis bigger boiler, as was thought at the time, forced locomotives to have a greater distance between axis. As time proved, this wrong statement was a huge curse for spanish railways for many years, helping to the commercial isolation that Spain suffered basically until the late 1960´s.

Sorry for that, Donqui!!


:doh:

thanks for the correction. I would trust the word of a Spaniard on this rather than an American. I guess heard that "lie" enough times to actually believe that it was true. :)

Thank you, TintinMadrid, to upload this interesting pictures and information to this thread. The Spanish authorities are working successfully to renew the Spanish railways with a great standard of quality. After the HSL Madrid-Seville (1992), and Madrid-Lerida (2003), in 2007 the new HSL will arrive to Barcelona, Valladolid and Malaga, but the total project is giant. All is under construction in this moment (see the map of DonQui)

I may contribute with this pictures of the HSL to Malaga (under construction) in the surrounding of Bobadilla (South of Spain). Many tunnels and spectacular viaducts there are in this line.

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1817/dscn00241vj.jpg

New station in Antequera-Santa Ana

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/5931/dscn00262nb.jpg

Construction base in Bobadilla

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/8016/dscn00327ny.jpg

Furthermore two pictures of a great viaduct (3.2 km) in the new HSL Seville-Cadiz.

http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/9445/viaductoconjunto2yi.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9923/viaductoconjunto29oq.jpg

Today Map
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/zolty/MiFo/VelocMax.jpg

http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps/iberian-peninsula/iberian-peninsula.gif

An excelent thread this is!! :applause:

In the next few days, I´ll be extending information on my preview posts.

Today I included some more pictures en post no. 1.

Greetings,

Alberto

Absolutely superb!!!:eek2:

Great thread :okay:

@TintinMadrid
Thank you for the explanation on Spanish gauge
Even I thought it would be true the "metopolitan legend" of Spain will to isolate from France and the rest of Europe... silly me! :doh: :)