Madrid–Galicia high-speed rail line
{{Short description|Spanish high-speed railway line}}
{{infobox rail line
| box_width = auto
| name = Madrid–Galicia high-speed rail line
| color =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Viaduct Ulla & Gundian bridge (36925965380).jpg
| image_width = 300
| caption =
| type = High-speed rail
| system =
| status = in operation
| locale = Spain
| start = Madrid Chamartín
| end = Santiago de Compostela
| stations =
| routes =
| daily_ridership =
| open =
| close =
| owner = Adif
| operator = Renfe Operadora
| character =
| stock =
| linelength = {{convert|415.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| tracklength =
| tracks = Double track
| gauge = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
| load_gauge =
| electrification = 25 kV AC
| speed = {{Cvt|300|km/h|round=10}}
| map = {{Madrid–Galicia high-speed rail line RDT|inline=1}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The Madrid–Galicia high-speed rail line is a high-speed railway line in Spain that links the city of Madrid with the region of Galicia via the cities of Olmedo, Zamora, Ourense and Santiago de Compostela. The line also connects the Atlantic Axis high-speed rail line to the rest of the Spanish AVE high-speed network. The Madrid–Galicia high-speed rail line is constructed as double electrified line and is designed for trains running at speeds up to {{convert|350|km/h|mph}}.
History
The line shares the same railway for the section between Madrid and Olmedo with the Madrid–Asturias high-speed rail line. This part was inaugurated on 23 December 2007 along with the entire section Madrid–Segovia–Valladolid. Construction on the section between Ourense and Santiago de Compostela started in 2004 and the {{Cvt|87.1|km}} part was completed and connected with the Atlantic Axis high-speed rail line in Santiago de Compostela on 10 December 2011. This part of the line has a track gauge of {{track gauge|iberian|allk=on}}, which is due to be converted to {{track gauge|sg|allk=on}} later.{{cite web|url=http://www.adifaltavelocidad.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/lineas_de_alta_velocidad/madrid_valladolid/madrid_valladolid.shtml|title=Infraestructuras y Estaciones|date=|publisher=Adif|accessdate=25 November 2015}} Since November 2015, trains in Alvia commercial service used this part on routes between Galicia and other Spanish regions.
In July 2015 it was announced that the traction power supply for the Olmedo-Pedralba de la Pradería (near Puebla de Sanabria) section would be switched-on on 7 August 2015.{{cite web |url=http://agencias.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=1942071|title=Adif pone en tensión tramo de alta velocidad Olmedo-Pedralba de la Pradería |date=22 July 2015 |publisher=ABC.es |accessdate=25 November 2015}} The {{Cvt|99|km}} southern section, between Olmedo ({{Cvt|130|km}} north of Madrid on the Madrid–Leon line) and Zamora entered revenue service on 17 December 2015 and initially served by Alvia trains.{{cite web |url=http://noticias.lainformacion.com/economia-negocios-y-finanzas/ferrocarril/el-ave-madrid-zamora-se-estrena-este-jueves-sin-actos-inaugurales_k9AFW5D0qgcnORLXnWSYN2/|title=El AVE Madrid-Zamora se estrena este jueves sin actos inaugurales |date=15 December 2015 |work=noticias.lainformacion.com |author=Fran Hurtado |accessdate=23 December 2015 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.laopiniondezamora.es/zamora/2015/06/19/llegada-ave-zamora-retrasa-finales/851773.html|title=La llegada del AVE a Zamora se retrasa a finales de año, según la ministra, Ana Pastor |date=19 June 2015 |publisher=La Opinion de Zamora |accessdate=25 November 2015}} In January 2017 it was announced that the boring of the Bolaños tunnels along the Verín - Ourense section of the line was completed.{{cite web |url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/high-speed/fcc-completes-boring-of-bolanos-tunnels.html?channel=523|title=FCC completes boring of Bolaños tunnels |date=9 January 2017 |publisher=railjournal.com |accessdate=12 January 2017}} The central part, which crosses some of Spain's most remote and fragile natural areas, was initially expected to open in 2018,{{cite news|url=http://www.laopiniondezamora.es/zamora/2015/08/23/ave-pruebas-olmedo-zamora-comenzaran/866397.html|title=Los AVE de pruebas entre Olmedo y Zamora comenzarán a circular a finales de septiembre|author=|work=La Opinión de Zamora |date=23 August 2015|accessdate=26 November 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-economia-ave-adif-ratifica-llegada-ave-galicia-2019-20181129171826.html|title=Economía/AVE- Adif ratifica la llegada del AVE a Galicia en 2019|author=|work=europapress|date=29 November 2018|accessdate=14 March 2019}} but has again been delayed to end 2021.{{cite web|url= https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/eu-co-financing-for-galician-high-speed-line/55629.article|title=EU co-financing for Galician high speed line|website=Railway Gazette International|date=27 January 2020|accessdate=12 April 2020}} The {{Cvt|110|km}} new built section between Zamora and Otero de Sanabria (near Puebla de Sanabria) was completed at a cost of 898 million euros and put in service on 26 October 2020. It is capable for speeds up to {{convert|350|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.elnortedecastilla.es/zamora/abalos-destaca-inversion-20201026151400-nt.html|title=Ábalos destaca la inversión de 898 millones en el nuevo tramo del AVE a Galicia|author=|work=www.elnortedecastilla.es |date=26 October 2020|accessdate=13 November 2020}} The {{ill|Estación de Sanabria Alta Velocidad|es|lt=Sanabria AV}} high-speed rail station opened on 22 July 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/espana/economia/la-ministra-de-transportes-inaugura-en-sanabria-estacion-ave/10003-4592438|website=Agencia EFE|date=22 July 2021|title=La ministra inaugura la estación AVE "ejemplo del compromiso" con el corredor noroeste}} The {{Cvt|119.4|km}} last remaining part between Puebla de Sanabria and Ourense was completed on 21 December 2021 and the whole line was commercially inaugurated in AVE service on 21 December 2021, after 20 years of work.{{cite web |url=https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/20/ave-links-madrid-with-galicia-after-20-years/|title=AVE links Madrid with Galicia after 20 years |date=20 December 2021 |work=euroweeklynews.com |author= Chris King |access-date=21 December 2021 }}
In May 2024, AVE capacity was increased with the introduction of Talgo AVRIL trains, which added about 20% more seat capacity and can run at higher speeds.{{cite web|url=https://www.laopinioncoruna.es/galicia/2024/05/29/100-000-viajeros-utilizan-nuevos-103082300.html|title=Más de 100.000 viajeros utilizan los nuevos trenes Avril de Renfe en su primera semana|work=La Opinión A Coruña|date=29 May 2024|access-date=16 July 2024}} The new trains suffered from technical problems during the initial months of service, resulting in rolling stock substitutions and delays.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.es/life/viajes/el-nuevo-ave-gallego-queda-fuera-servicio.html|title=El nuevo AVE gallego se queda fuera de servicio|work=Huffington Post|date=15 July 2024|accessdate=16 July 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://efe.com/economia/2024-05-21/ave-capitales-gallegas-asturias-arranca-despues-tres-anos-retrasos-2/|title=Renfe estrena los Avril de Talgo y arranca el AVE a las capitales gallegas y Asturias|work=EFE|date=21 May 2024|accessdate=16 July 2024}}
Operations
There are 10 services each day in both directions.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-28|title=Spain to launch €15 high-speed train between Madrid and Galicia|url=https://www.thelocal.es/20211123/spain-to-launch-high-speed-train-between-madrid-and-galicia/|access-date=2021-12-22|website=The Local Spain|language=en-US}} AVE trains initially ran between Madrid and Ourense with a maximum operating speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} to cover the distance in 2h 15min. The daily AVE schedule between Alicante and Ourense via Madrid Chamartín was introduced on 13 September 2022 and covers the distance in 4h 56min.{{Cite web|date=19 August 2022|title=Renfe irrumpe con dos AVE directos de Ourense a Alicante|url=https://www.economiadigital.es/galicia/empresas/renfe-irrumpe-con-dos-ave-directos-de-ourense-a-alicante.html|access-date=19 February 2025|website=economiadigital.es|language=es}} In May 2024, the variable gauge Talgo AVRIL trains started running with {{convert|330|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} in service on schedules between Madrid and A Coruña and between Madrid and Vigo via Santiago de Compostela. In addition Alvia services in the line on class 130 and 730 gauge-changing trains with a commercial speed of {{convert|250|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}, connect Madrid to Vigo, Lugo and Ferrol and Barcelona to A Coruña and Vigo.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-22|title=Madrid - Galicia high-speed line to open on December 21|url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/madrid-galicia-high-speed-line-to-open-on-december-21/|access-date=2021-12-22|website=International Railway Journal|language=en}}
Since 5 November 2024, two Alvia Madrid-Vigo services bypassing Santiago de Compostela are replaced by AVE services on Talgo AVRIL trains, thus achieving for first time journey times between Madrid and Vigo below 4 hours at 3h 57min.{{Cite web|title=Renfe suma dos AVE a Vigo y reduce el viaje con Madrid por debajo de las 4 horas por primera vez en la historia|first=Víctor |last=P. Currás |url=https://www.farodevigo.es/gran-vigo/2024/10/17/renfe-suma-ave-vigo-reduce-viaje-madrid-4-horas-109472461.html|date=17 October 2024|access-date=24 October 2024|website=www.farodevigo.es|language=es}}
Incidents
On 24 July 2013, a Santiago de Compostela derailment in a non-LAV (conventional line) stretch near the Santiago de Compostela railway station.
References
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Category:High-speed railway lines in Spain