Spain - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

This list is based on the timetable in effect in December 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 General Information.

Coverage is currently limited to lines known to the compilers, who would welcome information on other services that may warrant inclusion.

Obscure services

La Pereda Riosa – Soto de Rey

[685, Asturias C1] (20A1, not shown) ES11/1

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 tend to use the "new tunnel" route - although either route can be used if required for train regulation purposes.

Villallana – Ujo

[685, Asturias C1] (20A1, not shown) ES11/2

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.

El Berrón curves

(FEVE) [Asturias F5, F6] (20A1, not shown) ES11/3

The Oviedo - Santander and Gijón - Laviana lines cross here on the level. Two of the three connecting curves are used by passenger trains:

Llovio – Ribadesella Puerto

(FEVE) (20A4, not shown) ES11/4

This branch is used usually on the first Saturday in August each year (6 August 2011) 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.

These trains are very popular: in 2009 the train consisted of 19 coaches. Prior reservation is essential. The 2009 timings were: Oviedo 08:10; Arriondas 10:00/12:15; Ribadesella Puerto 13:15/14:30; Llovio (lunch stop)/15:50; Oviedo 17:55.

Amorebieta Echano – Amorebieta Geralekua

(EuskoTren) (22A1, not shown) ES11/5

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 the EuskoTren website. Note this is a 4.5MB file.

Altsasu – Altsasu-Pueblo

[653, 689] (22B1) ES11/6

This north <=> east connection is used by trains between Pamplona and Irún.

533 Irún - 09:02 Altsasu - Barcelona Sants
537 Irún - 16:18 San Sebastian/Donostia - Barcelona Sants
534 Barcelona Sants - 11:19 Pamplona - Irún
530 Barcelona Sants - 19:23 Pamplona - Irún

Altsasu avoiding line: Altsasu-Pueblo – Olazti

[653, 689] (22B1) ES11/7

This east <=> west connection avoiding Altsasu on the south side is used by trains between Pamplona and Vitoria/Gasteiz.

Segovia Guiomar (Bif. Cambiador Valdestillas) – Valdestillas cambiador de ancho – Valdestillas

[663] (20C4, not shown) ES11/8

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 or 5. In general, northbound 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 were booked by this route in 2010:

4167 Madrid Chamartín - 16:45 Segovia AV - Hendaye
SX 4181 18:30 Madrid Chamartín - Gijon

Confirmation of this usage would be welcomed by the compilers.

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

[681, 689] (20B5) ES11/9

This east <=> west line avoiding Venta de Baños on the north side is used by trains between Burgos and Palencia.

Venta de Baños – Magaz

[689] (20B5) ES11/10

This line is used by direct trains between Valladolid Campo Grande and Burgos which do not call (and reverse) at Palencia.

Miranda de Ebro avoiding line: Pancorbo – Haro

[653, 689] (22B1) ES11/11

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

931 Gijón - 01:20 Burgos Rosa de Lima (next day) - Barcelona Sants
921 A Coruña/Vigo - 02:15 Burgos Rosa de Lima (next day) - Barcelona Sants
630 Salamanca - 08:58 Burgos Rosa de Lima - Zaragoza Delicias
922 Barcelona Sants - 01:05 Logroño (next day) - A Coruña/Vigo
932 Barcelona Sants - 01:59 Logroño (next day) - Gijón
633 Zaragoza Delicias - 16:45 Haro - Salamanca

Miranda de Ebro – Pobes

[653, 689] (11B3, not shown) ES11/12

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.

Guadalajara Yebes (Bif. Cambiador Plasencia de Jalón) – Plasencia de Jalón cambiador de ancho – Grisén (Cambiador de Plasencia-Aguja km 308.6)

[650, 653] (12B1, not shown) ES11/13

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 either Logroño or Pamplona (and beyond) not calling at Zaragoza.

Zaragoza avoiding line: Grisén – Cabañas de Ebro

[650, 653] (12B1-2) ES11/14

This line links the Calatayud and Tudela de Navarra lines west of Zaragoza. It is used by through trains between Madrid Atocha and either Logroño or Pamplona (and beyond) not calling at Zaragoza.

Zaragoza – Tardienta

[654] (13A1-2) ES11/15

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 that the Tardienta - Huesca line consists of a dual gauge single track.

Zaragoza avoiding line ‘Ronda Sur’ (standard gauge): (Bif. Moncasi - Bif. Canal Imperial )

[650] (13A1, not shown) ES11/16

This 21km long line forms part of the Madrid - Barcelona high speed line, bypassing Zaragoza to the south. It is used by high speed trains between Madrid and Barcelona not calling at Zaragoza.

Lleida avoiding line: (Bif. Torres Sanui – Bif. Artesa)

[650] (14A1 not shown) ES11/17

This 14 km long standard gauge line carries the Madrid - Barcelona high speed line to the south of Lleida Pirineus station. It is used by high speed trains between Madrid/Zaragoza and Barcelona not calling at Lleida.

Barcelona Estació de França (Bif. Clot) – Barcelona Clot Arago (Bif. Glóries)

[657] (16B2, not shown) ES11/18

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. Some of these trains are still using this route:

TThSuO 273 19:38 Barcelona Estació de França - Zürich Hbf/Milano C
MWFO 274 Zürich Hbf/Milano C - 08s18 Girona (next day) - Barcelona Estació de França
475 21:05 Barcelona Estació de França - Paris Austerlitz
477 Paris Austerlitz - 06s54 Girona - Barcelona Estació de França

[Martorell] – Castellbisbal – Bif. Papiol or Aguja Km 4,104 – Rubi

[Barcelona C7] (16B2, not shown correctly) ES11/19

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 in each direction.

Trains towards Martorell use the east <=> north curve of the more northerly line (Rubi - Bif. Papiol - Castellbisbal); trains from Martorell head south towards El Papiol and then take the north <=> east curve (Castellbisbal - Aguja Km 4,104 - Rubi, not shown) of the more southerly triangle

Cantalapiedra avoiding line: El Pedroso de Armuña - Fresno el Viejo

[689] (19B3, not shown) ES11/20

This line, ca 2 km in length, bypasses a sharp curve west of Cantalapiedra station. The following trains are the only services not booked to call at Cantalapiedra and so may use this route. Information on this would be welcomed by the compilers.

313 Irún - 03:40 Medina del Campo - Lisboa S A
335 Lisboa S A - 00:35 Salamanca - Hendaye

Monfragüe – Mirabel

[677] (19A1, partly shown) ES11/21

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

FO 17824 Madrid Atocha Cercanías - 18:25 Monfragüe - Caceres
194 Madrid Chamartín - 19:04 Monfrague - Badajoz
332 Madrid Chamartín - 00:38 Navalmoral de la Mata - Lisboa S A
197 Badajoz - 10:13 Mirabel - Madrid Chamartín
SuO 17817 Caceres - 19:50 Mirabel - Madrid Atocha Cercanías
335 Lisboa S A - 05:08 Caceres - Madrid Chamartín

Madrid Chamartín – Bif. Hortaleza – Vicálvaro and Vallecas – Bif. Rebolledo – Villaverde Bajo

[677] (22B3, 22A3 - 22A2) ES11/22

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

332 22:25 Madrid Chamartín - Lisboa S A
335 Lisboa S A - 07:14 Talavera de la Reina - Madrid Chamartín

Madrid Chamartín – Bif. Hortaleza – San Fernando de Henares

[651] (22A3-22B3) ES11/23

This line is used by Media Distancia services between Madrid Chamartín and Guadalajara (mostly to/from Arcos de Jalón or Soria) not calling at Madrid Atocha Cercanías.

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) ES11/24

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 ES11/25. 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 ES11/24 or ES11/25 is dependent on platform usage at both stations.

Madrid Chamartín – Recoletos – Madrid Atocha Cercanías

(22A3) ES11/25

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 ES11/24. 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 ES11/24 or ES11/25 is dependent on platform usage at both stations. Alvia services that pass through the Chamartín cambiador de ancho must use Platform 15 at Chamartín and hence this route ES11/25.

Madrid Delicias – Madrid Santa Catalina – Villaverde Bajo – San Cristóbal Industrial

[661, 689] (22A3) ES11/26

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 ES11/27.

D 940 Bilbao - 02:11 Avila - Malaga
D 941 Malaga - 03:33 Manzanares - Bilbao

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

(22A3) ES11/27

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 ES11/26. It is used by the following trains:

  • The „Tren de la Navidad“ (Christmas Train), which runs between 26 December and 5 January. Timings are not yet available. In 2009 the train ran to Pinto.

Madrid Atocha avoiding line: Guadalajara Yebes (Vallecas A.V.-Aguja km 12.3) – Ciudad Real Central (Los Gavilanes-Aguja km 13.4: Bif. Valdemingomez)

[650, 660] (22A3) ES11/28

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

3940 Barcelona Sants - 10:09 Zaragoza - Sevilla Santa Justa
3990 Barcelona Sants - 12:10 Zaragoza - Málaga
3942/3992 Barcelona Sants - 17:36 Zaragoza - Sevilla Santa Justa/Málaga
3993 Málaga - 10:15 Ciudad Real - Barcelona Sants
3943 Sevilla Santa Justa - 09:46 Córdoba - Barcelona Sants
3941 Sevilla Santa Justa - 17:39 Ciudad Real - Barcelona Sants
3991 Málaga - 17:53 Córdoba - Barcelona Sants

Sagunt avoiding line: Sagunt-Aguja km.28,3 - Sagunt-Aguja km.268,8

[670] (23B1) ES11/29

This south <=> west curve connecting the Barcelona - València and Sagunt - Zaragoza lines is used by direct services between València and Zaragoza.

18504 15:27 València - Huesca
18511 Huesca - 10:02 Teruel - València

València Fuente San Luis (València Fuente San Luis Aguja km 1.3) – Alfafar-Benitússer

[668, 672] (30B1) ES11/30 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:

697 Barcelona Sants - 11:28 València Nord - Sevilla Santa Justa
463 Montpellier - 15:20 València Nord - Cartagena
165 Barcelona Sants - 18:27 València Nord - Lorca-Sutullena
1171 Barcelona Sants - 20:31 Válencia Nord - Murcia
1102 Murcia (SuX) / Alacant (SuO) - 09:16 Xàtiva - Barcelona Sants
460 Lorca-Sutullena - 12:16 Xàtiva - Montpellier
694 Sevilla Santa Justa - 15:56 Xàtiva - Barcelona Sants
264 Cartagena - 16:25 Xàtiva - Barcelona Sants
SuO 1212 Murcia - 19:35 Xàtiva - Barcelona Sants

Note that 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

[668] (32A2, not shown) ES11/31

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

FSuO 14400 Albacete - 18:24 Villena - València Nord {1}
FSuO 14403 Válencia Nord - 15:29 Moixent - Albacete {1}

{1} These trains reverse at Villena.

Moixent – Xàtiva

[668, 672] (32A2, not shown) ES11/32

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)

[660, 671] (35A2, not shown) ES11/33

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

9070 Jaén - 08:53 Córdoba - Cádiz
9320 Madrid Atocha - 11:57 Córdoba - Cádiz
2124 12:25 Madrid Atocha - Cádiz
9332 Madrid Atocha - 18:03 Córdoba - Cádiz
99142 Barcelona Sants - 20:33 Córdoba - Cádiz
99143 Cádiz - 09:00 Sevilla Santa Justa - Barcelona Sants
9317 Cádiz - 09:53 Sevilla Santa Justa - Madrid Atocha
9333 Cádiz - 18:11 Sevilla Santa Justa - Madrid Atocha
9181 Cádiz - 19:52 Sevilla Santa Justa - Jaén
2195 Cádiz - 19:43 Jerez de la Frontera - Madrid Atocha

[Córdoba –] Sevilla Majarabique – Carrión de los Céspedes (Bif. San Jerónimo) (via Majarabique cambiador de ancho)

[660, 671] (35A2, not shown) ES11/34

This connection off the AVE high speed line north of Sevilla is used by the through trains between Madrid Atocha and Huelva, which avoid Sevilla Santa Justa.

Córdoba (Bif. Córdoba-El Higuerón) – Puente Genil – Fuente de Piedra

[661] (36A3 - 36A2) ES11/35

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 (ES11/38):

13068 12:45 Córdoba - Bobadilla
697 Barcelona Sants - 18:25 Córdoba - Málaga
694 Málaga - 08:02 Bobadilla - Barcelona Sants
13067 15:25 Bobadilla - Córdoba

Córdoba (Bif. Cambiador Alcolea) – Alcolea cambiador de ancho – Alcolea (Alcolea-Aguja km 431.9)

[661] (36A3, not shown) ES11/36

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:

9070 Jaén - 08:11 Villa del Rio - Cádiz
9181 Cádiz - 20:42 Córdoba - Jaén

Espeluy – Jaén branch

[661] (36B3, partly shown) ES11/37

This branch is connected at Espeluy by a triangular junction of which only the west curve (Espeluy-Aguja km 340.1 – Espeluy-Aguja km 150.5) is shown in Ball, the east curve (Espeluy-Aguja km 338.8 – Espeluy-Aguja km 150.5) 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 – Bobadilla (Antequera-Santa Ana Aguja km 50.4)

[673] (36A2, partly shown) ES11/38

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 (Antequera-Santa Ana Aguja km 50.4)

[673] (36A2, not shown) ES11/39

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 (Antequera-Santa Ana Aguja km 50.4) – Antequera (Bif. Las Maravillas)

[673] (36A2, not shown) ES11/40 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) ES11/41

Trains between Granada and Almería not calling at Moreda use this east <=> west connection avoiding Moreda on the south side.

Other sparse services

The following sections have services which are sparse, even by Spanish standards (fewer than three trains per day):

  • 45 (international section) Cáceres – Valencia de Alcantara – Marvão Beirã
  • 45 (international section) Salamanca La Alamedilla – Ciudad Rodrigo – Fuentes de Oñoro – Vilar Formoso
  • 654 Jaca – Canfranc
  • 677 Huelva – Zafra (at present only one train each way per day runs to Jabugo-Galaroza and two trains each way per week to Zafra, owing to engineering work).
  • 677 Cazalla-Constantina – Zafra
  • 683 Cistierna – Guardo – Balmaseda
  • 687 Ribadeo – Navia
  • 687 Llanes – Cabezón de la Sal
  • 696 O Porrino – Tui – Valença do Minho
  • Valencia C-1 Xeraco – Platja i Grau de Gandia (three trains per day on weekdays and two at weekends)

Deletions since previous edition

  • ES10/7A León avoiding line ‘Enlace Sur’: Palanquinos - Qintana-Raneros: diversions ceased 26 November 2010.
  • ES10/7B León avoiding line ‘Enlace Sur’: Palanquinos - León: diversions ceased 26 November 2010.
  • ES10/13 Burgos Rosa de Lima (Bif. Madrid-Burgos) - Aranda de Duero Montecillo - Colmenar Viejo: the service appears not to have run since a derailment on 13 February 2010 @ CHECK DATE.
  • ES10/19 Barcelona Sant Andreu Comtal (Bif. Aigües) – Montcada Bifurcació: the planned diversions seem never to have taken place
  • ES10/23 Madrid Chamartín – Fuencarral (via Chamartín cambiador de ancho): being only a short connection between two adjacent lines of different gauge this does not warrant being classed as a line
  • ES10/28 Madrid Atocha Cercanías – Atocha cambiador de ancho – Madrid Puerta de Atocha: services withdrawn
  • ES10/36 Sevilla Santa Justa (Bif. Expo) – Cartuja: there is no sign of the long awaited reopening of this branch

See also

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