Border Crossings: France - Spain

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Note: although lines of both gauges (1435 mm and 1668 mm) cross the borders at Cerbère/Port-Bou and Hendaye/Irún, passenger carrying trains normally run only from France to Irún and Port-Bou, while those from Spain normally run only to Hendaye and Cerbère, i.e. trains run empty in the contrary directions. There are some through trains on each route which have their wheel spacing adjusted by the gauge changers at Irún and Port-Bou. Most freight trains undergo bogie changing at Hendaye or Cerbère. RENFE 3000 V dc trains operate at reduced power under 1500 V dc catenary in the border areas.

Cerbère SNCF - Port-Bou RENFE

[E*] {see note above}

Perpignan SNCF - Figueres Vilafant RENFE

[E] This is part of a high speed line, built to standard gauge and electrified at 25KV 50Hz, linking Barcelona with the French LGV network. At present it is used by French TGVs, which terminate and start at Figueres Vilafant, connecting there with RENFE high speed trains to and from Barcelona. TGV services were to have been extended to Barcelona on 28 April 2013 but have now been postponed indefinitely owing to compatibility problems with the signalling.

Standard gauge freight trains are able to reach Barcelona partly by means of a dual-gauge track on old broad gauge routes, partly by use of the high speed line between Girona and Mollet del Vallès and partly by a new dual-gauge line into the industrial and port area to the west of Barcelona. RENFE operates freight at least as far north as Perpignan St Charles.

La Tour de Carol-Enveitg SNCF - Puigcerda RENFE

[E*] lines of both RENFE and SNCF gauges cross the border but only the RENFE line carries passenger trains.

(Oloron -) Forges-d'Abel SNCF - Canfranc RENFE

[ED] Line closed. The break of gauge was at Canfranc.

Hendaia ET/FV- Irun Paseo de Colon ET/FV

[E] Metre-gauge railway operated by Eusko Trenbideak/Ferrocarriles Vascos.

Hendaye SNCF - Irun RENFE

[E*] {see note above}

See also