The Trains in Spain run very fast on the Plains ( in theory)

Nice video, thanks Amedeu.

Barcelone-Perpigang est encore en construction.

Another snippet of info The Objective for 2020

I don't know how things will pan out, apparently (yesterday) the PM said that they were going to cut Govt spending next year. In addition they are cutting public sector salaries by 5% and upwards depending on how much you earn. Lots of strikes coming up - I don't suppose the Pajares tunnel will get finished for a while. Talking of which it will only operate passenger trains, freight will still use the old broad gauge line route.


edit for atrocious spelling

A few Pajares Youtube Videos


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQO8gqEeNUA&feature=related

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8YLsRAWyN4&feature=related

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQO8gqEeNUA&feature=related


None of which can do justice to the sheer drop over the side of the trackbed.

Latest news on Pajares base tunnel is that the official completion date is end of 2012 but likely to be 2013 in reality.

This means Leon to Oviedo passenger trains will still go over the mountains during 2011 and 2012 and even beyond this date Cercanias might still take this classic route.

A CGT Tour of N Spain is still an option traversing the above plus 1000 miles of narrow gauge which must be the largest extant narrow gauge network in the world.

I'd be up for something like that!!

mikey

David Grantham wrote:

Latest news on Pajares base tunnel is that the official completion date is end of 2012 but likely to be 2013 in reality.

This means Leon to Oviedo passenger trains will still go over the mountains during 2011 and 2012 and even beyond this date Cercanias might still take this classic route.

A CGT Tour of N Spain is still an option traversing the above plus 1000 miles of narrow gauge which must be the largest extant narrow gauge network in the world.

mikeyh wrote:

I'd be up for something like that!!

mikey

Me too depending on time of year, costs etc. But I would certainly like to do that.

Mmmmmmmmmmm , lovely place N Spain. Bear in mind that things are chaotic mid July to end of August because the whole of Spain and his wife and kids is on . Asturias is the "new place to be". Late May / early June and most of September it is generally good weather and quieter too. Better make it 2012 if you wanna run trains in my garden, I might JUST have something finished by then.

Seriuosly though if anyone is wanting to do this I would like to come along recession permitting, so keep me in the loop please.

As an aside and back on thread : earlier this month the King of Spain opened the first half of the new AVE route from Madrid to Alicante, work has been completed as far as Albecete which is half way. When the line is finished it will take an expected 1hour 45 minutes to travel over 400k,

FYI

http://www.ptg.co.uk/tours/FEVE2011.pdf

I guess DIY prices would be about 40% of those quoted in the above package. It could be argued that it is more interesting riding on the service trains than a special although the special does get to places that cannot be normally accessed.

I reckon £70 would cover one days hotel, food and rail travel and in 5 days one could travel Santander, Bilbao, Leon, Pajares, Oviedo, Santander. Total about £350.

mmmmmmmmmmm cheaper than going to Dortmund, the itinerary looks interesting. Don't forget to do the mining museum and railway museum in Gijon, there is also one of those cradle bridges outside Bilbao and another mining museum, and of course the Basque railway museum at aspetsia. ?? Lots to do and so little time.