SPAIN: Under construction since 2004, the 50 km Pajares high speed cut-off through the Cordillera Cantábrica mountain range in the north of the country moved a step closer to opening on September 20 when ADIF Alta Velocidad ran the first passenger-carrying test train between La Robla and Campomanes.
Onboard ADIF’s Seneca diesel laboratory train for the 28 min journey were Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez and ADIF President María Luisa Domínguez. They were among the 20 passengers who became the first to travel through the 24∙6 km base tunnel under the mountains between Pola de Gordón and Telledo.
The cost of the cut-off is now put at €3∙7bn, an increase of €2bn on the original estimate, under which the line should have been ready for traffic in 2010.
At Campomanes, the guests were able to inspect CAF and Talgo gauge-changing equipment. These units are fitted with more 140 sensors and warm water sprays for the de-icing of axles and wheelsets of variable gauge rolling stock. The dignitaries also inspected the massive retaining walls built to contain the slope instability above the line; the mountainside here is notorious for its landslides. Stabilisation work here has involved around 380 000 m3 of earth movement.
Before the new line can open, a set of final works is being undertaken, notably completion and commissioning of the electrification. Installation of the signalling, telecommunications and ATP systems is also outstanding. Pola de Lena station, to the north of Campomanes, is still being remodelled to become the junction between the new and legacy routes over the Pajares pass.
Speaking at the event, Sánchez suggested that the new line could open for revenue services from Q1 2023, subject to successful testing and staff training processes. National operator RENFE is expected to deploy the gauge-changing variant of its Talgo Avril S106 high speed trainsets on the route; these would be used for services between the capital and Gijón and Oviedo.
