Trains in Spain

Renfe Operadora is the state-owned company which operates freight and passenger trains on the 1668-mm “Iberian gauge” and 1435-mm “European gauge” networks of the Spanish national railway infrastructure company ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias).

The Spanish State railways are currently engaged in a major transformation and modernisation process to keep up with the liberalisation of railway transportation elsewhere in Europe. Key to this effort is a major overhaul of their dated ICT (information and communication technology) systems through an ICT renewal project scheduled for completion at the end of 2010 under the responsibility of Corporate Director of Information Systems Oscar Gomez Barbero. So far the company has introduced improvements to their internet ticket sales and adopted new ICT management practices within a “more industrial” organisational model, though Mr Gomez has publicly acknowledged the difficulties in transforming what still remains a very hierarchical organisation.

Renfe Operadora operates in broad and standard gauge lines.The company operates some 15,000 km of railways, most of which are constructed to the broad “Iberian” gauge of 1668 mm, the same as that used in Portugal but wider than the gauge of 1435 mm which is standard in France and most of western and central Europe. The newer high-speed (AVE) network, however, has been built to the international standard gauge of 1435 mm gauge in anticipation of its eventual connection to the rest of the European railway system. For this reason, the 1435-mm gauge is generally termed “European gauge” in Spain.

The Spanish high-speed system is called AVE. (Alta Velocidad Española, Spanish High Speed). The logo incorporates a feature which resembles a bird (ave in Spanish). The high-speed lines are built to the standard European gauge (1435 mm)

Construction of the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Seville began in 1988 and operation commenced in 1991. Train speed on the Seville line is 300 km/h. The second high-speed rail line, from Madrid to Barcelona, was completed in 2007 with the inaugural service commencing at 6 am February 20, 2008. The operational speed on this road is 350 km/h. The greater part of
the line, from Madrid to Lleida, was put in service on October 11, 2003, with connection to Huesca from Zaragoza. The third high-speed line, Madrid – Toledo was opened in November 2005, followed by the spur from Córdoba to Málaga as far as Antequera in 2007. Another high-speed route from Madrid to Valladolid was opened in 2007, and other lines to Valencia and Lisbon are being designed. The route Madrid-Galicia is under construction between the major Galician cities.

In addition to intercity transport, Renfe operates commuter train systems, known as Cercanías (or Rodalies in Catalonia and Cercanías-Aldirikoak in the Basque Country), in eleven metropolitan areas, including Madrid and Barcelona. The former was targeted in the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings. While the latter and some of the regional trains going to Barcelona have been without service since 20 October 2007. In some cities Renfe shares the market with other commuter railway operators, such as FGC in Barcelona.

A map of the Levante area RENFE rail network with details of the train stations across the area.

RENFE – Spanish Railway Company
Information and Reservations:
Tel: (0034) 902 24 02 02
Website: www.renfe.es

Trains Stations Valencian Region:

Province of Castellón:
Vinaròs
Pza. de la Estación, s/n
12500 Vinaròs

Benicarló (the closest train station to Peñíscola about 9 km away),
Plaza de la Estación s/n
12580 Benicarló

Oropesa
Plaza de la Estación s/n
12594 Orpesa

Benicàssim
Plaza de la Estación s/n
12560 Benicàssim

Castellón de la Plana
C/ Pintor Oliet, s/n
12006 Castellón de la Plana

Province of Valencia:

Valencia – Northern Railway Station
C/ Játiva, 24
46007 Valencia
Valencia – Estación del Cabañal
Avda. Blasco Ibañez s/n
46011 Valencia

Sueca
Passeig de la Estación s/n
46410 Sueca

Cullera
C/ Sueca s/n
46400 Cullera

Tavernes de la Valldigna
Partida el Golfo
46760 Tavernes de la Valldigna

Gandia
Avda. Marqués de Campo s/n
46700 Gandia

Xàtiva
Avda. Cavaller Ximen de Tovía s/n
46800 Xàtiva

For train timetables and prices : RENFE website