Renfe (Spain): Train Travel Info - Rail Europe Train in Spain. Through geography and history. Travel throughout Spain is convenient with RENFE. Enjoy on-board entertainment with video screens. Daydreams included: cities, countryside, mountains and beaches. Restrooms are located in every car. RENFE Trains: Rich history and the flavor of Spain Over the past two decades, RENFE has focused on improving traveler comfort and increasing the efficiency of its fleet of trains in Spain. This combined effort has resulted in a faster, comfortable and more enjoyable train trip for travelers throughout Spain. Some of the most popular routes of these modernized trains include Madrid to Barcelona, Madrid to Seville, and Madrid to Bilbao. You’ll find rail travel available to suit any budget or preference: from the budget-friendly Economy Class, to Comfort Class that offers generous legroom and comfortable reclining seats, all the way to Premier Class, with its luxurious personal space and additional amenities that include video and audio programming at your fingertips. Whichever you choose, you’ll experience pleasing service from RENFE train personnel. And no one is left out, with accommodations that are perfectly suited for families, friends and business travelers.

So book now with Rail Europe, the experts in offering guidance on the smartest itineraries and affordable fares. Hey, you can’t even spell Renfe without RE (as in Rail Europe). Renfe – Renfe Spanish trains ok Spain : RENFE Renfe is the modern, extensive and efficient railway system that makes train travel in Spain delightful. Renfe Operadora (RENFE) is Spain’s state-owned major railway operator; they offer every level of rail service, from local destinations to high-speed InterCity links The Spanish State railways are under development with major transformations and modernisation in process on their 15,000 km of railway. The AVE, the Spanish High Speed rail line, has made long distances shrink over the years. The high-speed (300km/h) rail line for Spain’s AVE service between Madrid and Seville became fully operational in 1991. The second high-speed rail line that Renfe operates from Madrid to Barcelona was completed in 2007. With the AVE and Renfe, you can easily visit the major cities such as Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Barcelona and the latest destination, Valencia which is just 1 hour and 38 minutes from Madrid.

Renfe is also constantly updating the Media Distancia network and travelling times between major cities are being reduced all the time. RENFE also operate the moderate-speed Alaris line between Madrid and Valencia. The Media Distancia network is also constantly being updated and travelling times between major cities are coming down all the time. Moreover, RENFE operate commuter trains known as Cercanias in eleven metropolitan areas, including Madrid and Barcelona. RENFE are committed to helping the wider community through culture, education and sport. They support many activities, especially those with a special link to the world of railways. Benefit from online discounts with Rail Europe! Look out for the Web and Star fares available on our website and benefit from up to 60% discount on the full fare. Book your train travel in advance on the Renfe network and take advantage of the lowest possible prices! Our tips Experience the Trenhotel services, a real “rolling” room for your night train travels with Renfe Renfe also offer the Avant services. These are Mid Distance services especially designed for short journeys on high-speed trains linking Seville-Malaga, Madrid-Toledo, etc.

Travel with Renfe with one of the Eurail Passes including Spain and benefit from numerous bonuses and reductions on transports, museums, etc... Go for our best-selling rail passes Spain Spain By Train | Spain Train Travel | Eurail.com Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Bustling brightness in Barcelona Known for its modern, forward-thinking style, Barcelona is one of the most progressive cities in Spain. The capital of Catalonia offers music, museums, sun and shopping. A popular attraction is Sagrada Familia, a temple designed by Antoni Gaudi. Its construction began in 1882, and is still underway. Gaudi’s influence is unmissable in Barcelona – from Park Guell to Casa Batlló, one of the most unique residences in Spain. It’s easiest to get to Sagrada Familia by bus or subway from any major railway station. The temple has its own stop. Plaza de España, in Seville, Spain Centuries of style in Seville Seville (Sevilla) captures the sexy Spanish lifestyle, but business and finance are also part of the mix. Tour the city on foot, by bus or by bike. Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España give a taste of Seville’s nature.

The Sevilla Cathedral gives a feel of the Muslim and Christian influence. A steamy nightlife, flamenco dancing and delicious tapas, completes the adventure. Seville train station Santa Justa is about a mile northeast of the city center. Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Quaint and peaceful Spain in Bilbao & Pamplona Want to see some of the smaller, more quaint Spanish towns? The coastal city of Bilbao offers the famous Guggenheim Museum, designed by architect Frank Gehry and recognized as a work of architectural genius. Further south, Pamplona may be known for the Running of the Bulls (July 6-14), but for the rest of the year, this little town is a fabulous place to explore, eat, and enjoy a dazzling nightlife. From Station Bilbao-Abando, you can take a subway directly to the Guggenheim Museum. The museum has its own subway stop. Mercado Central, Valencia, Spain Sizzling sun in Valencia Bask in the sunlight along the Costa Blanca (the White Coast) before heading into town for some memorable sightseeing.

Once in town, don’t miss the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, which contains an oceanic aquarium, scientific museum, IMAX theater, covered gardens & more. Want to do a bit of shopping? The more than 1,000 stalls at the Mercado Central offers a host of colors, scents and flavors for the modern shopaholic. From train stations De El Cabanyal en Del Norte city buses and metros bring you to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Madrid Voluntary insomnia in Madrid Madrid has so much to offer, you shouldn’t be surprised if you forget to sleep. Spend your days in the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), the Royal Botanical Gardens (Real Jardin Botanica) or one of the 73 museums. Feast on tapas in the evening, and dance the night away in one of the countless nightclubs that make this city famous. All the while, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most fascinating architecture in the world. The Royal Botanical Gardens are a 10-minute walk from train station Atocha. The famous Parque del Retiro is just across from the Botanical Gardens entrance.

events Renfe train tickets and buy Spain Rail Pass in USA from official Renfe representative in USA.Call 800-724-5120 Want Tickets from Madrid to Barcelona on the High Speed Train? Want to book a trip from Barcelona to San Sebastian? Travel a significantly discounted price One low price for 4/6/8/12 Journeys in a month ANYWHERE where Spanish Trains go Book your pass up to six months ahead of time No need to worry about changing rates as time goes on! Lock in your rate now and avoid hassle later No "quota" - if it's available, it is bookable! Customizable Train Tours Do you like to travel independently but with some structure? Don’t want to Drive? Want to experience one of the best Rail Networks in the World? Choose from our pre-designed itineraries with suggested number of nights in different cities where you travel by train. Customize your schedule. If you want, you can add / remove a day from the itinerary. Select Your Hotel. Book your tour! Enjoy your tour and leave the rest to us. Your tickets and travel vouchers will reach you before you travel. Spain has the world’s most luxurious trains.

El Transcantabrico – Gran Lujo How to Choose & Book European Train Tickets & E-tickets | Rail Europe CLOSE At your service. Always. We are available to answer any questions you may have about our European travel products. Answers to our most frequently asked questions can be found in our FAQs . We also encourage you to visit our new online Support Community to interact with Rail Europe staff and other travelers to share information and tips about European rail travel and more. Visit the Rail Europe Support Community . If you prefer you can also contact us by email anytime and we will respond to you as quickly as we possibly can. We also have a dedicated staff to assist with Group Travel. Our Group department is equipped to handle your every need when it comes to group train travel. So if you've got to put together a terrific package for a group of 10 or more travelers, just call us at 1-800-462-2577 in the United States and Canada or 1-914-682-7456 in the United States and we'd be happy to help. Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm Eastern Time.

All About Rail Passes Choosing and booking a train ticket So, why should I book my ticket from Rail Europe? Rail Europe is a single stop for European rail travel. We combine the maps, schedules and fares of over 50 different train companies across Europe, creating one stop to plan and book your European rail travel. We offer you a unified booking experience across Europe, with the ability to package products from different train companies. I n fact, we’re the only website on which you can book a multi-city rail journey and the only company to offer support by phone, email, and live chat in North America through our contact center. We also have special relationships with European train companies, many of which started over 75 years ago. These relationships have led to special agreements benefiting travelers, including technology that enables us to offer and sell more rail travel options than any other provider. As a result, our tickets are at competitive hard-to-beat prices. And, since our prices are in dollars, you’ll know exactly the price you’re paying. Add all that to our extraordinary level of customer service and it’s an unbeatable combination.

We’re not just a one-stop shop for all your European rail needs, but the only North American travel website giving you access to rail schedules for over 50 European train companies. We’re able to sell you tickets, passes, and reservations, so there are no surprises or foreign transaction bank fees once you get there. Plus, if you wait until you get to Europe to think about train tickets, you risk that there will be no availability or the possibility that only the most expensive tickets will be left. Rail Europe’s customer service starts with our unique booking engine. It ensures you find the right tickets and, if you know your itinerary, lets you compare their cost to that of rail passes using our multi-city booking tool. No other website offers this feature and it is designed exclusively for the North American market. If you still have questions or need assistance, you’ll find our English, Spanish and French-speaking rail consultants available by phone and email at any point before, during, or after your travels. Lastly, we offer an exclusive Rail Protection Plan™ that allows you, for a small fee, to change your ticket or have it entirely refunded as a credit toward a future purchase for any reason. How about that? True customer service even if you decide not to travel.

Do I need to buy a train ticket for children or infants? In general, any traveler that will occupy a seat needs to purchase a train ticket. Children under the age of 4 may travel on your lap, though the exact age can vary by rail company. If you want them to have a reserved seat on a train that offers or requires a reservation, you would need to pay the same price as an older child on most trains. Are there discounts on train tickets? Yes. There are discounts available for certain train tickets. The first type of discount is for advanced booking. This applies mostly to high speed trains and night trains that require reservations. For these trains, within the same category of service, rail carriers set aside different groups of seats at different prices. The cheaper seats have a limited availability or are reserved for sale within a certain time period before the train departure. Once this group of cheaper seats has sold out, or the booking window for those seats has passed, the next group of seats goes on sale, at a higher price, and so on. The closer to the departure date you book, the more expensive you will find the seats. This is why we always encourage you to book your seat in advance to get the best price.

In addition, certain trains offer discounts for youth, child or senior travelers. We always attempt to find the cheapest fares for your traveling party and get you the discounts you’re eligible for. This is why it’s important to accurately indicate the composition of your traveling party when requesting fares and schedules from our website. You may also have to enter the age of certain travelers, so we can determine whether they’re eligible for certain age-related discounts. I selected a ticket but when I went to place my booking, the price changed. I went back to search for train tickets and saw the same price listed again in the results. Why did this happen? For most trains, the price quoted is based on “live” availability from current train seat inventories. However, for certain trains, we cannot check fare availability at the time of quotation due to the technical limitations of the international rail distribution system. Therefore, we use a stored price to build your quote, based on previously confirmed fares for the trip you requested. Sometimes we find out that the fare used for quoting your trip is no longer available upon confirming your reservation. At that time, we receive a new price from the system based on that very moment’s availability.

Unfortunately, due to those same technical limitations, we are unable to update the stored price for a specific train, even if we find out at the time of confirmation that a fare is no longer available. Rest assured that we’re working actively to ensure that all prices quoted to you are based on live availability and limit the usage of stored prices for quotation purposes. I selected a train ticket, but when I placed my booking the price changed. Why? Can the previously quoted price be honored? For most trains, the price quoted is based on live availability from current seat inventories. However, for some trains, we cannot check fare availability at the time of quote due to technical limitations of the international rail distribution system. Therefore, we use a cached price to build your quote, based on generally available fares for the trip you requested. Sometimes, we find out that the fare used for quoting your trip is no longer available as we’re trying to confirm your reservation. This is when the system gives us the new price based on that very moment’s availability. This explains why you may receive a message advising you that the price has changed from the original quote. Unfortunately, we are unable to honor the original fare that was displayed online.

As mentioned in our terms of use, schedules listed in our booking tool are subject to change depending on availability, and final fares will be confirmed upon purchase. How far in advance can I purchase a train ticket? Train tickets can be purchased in a booking horizon of 30 to 180 days in advance of a journey. This booking horizon depends on the route and each rail carrier’s policy. In order to take advantage of the best prices and availability, always book as far in advance as possible. It’s particularly important to book early during peak travel seasons to ensure you can travel on the date you wish. Please note – when planning a journey you can always enter a date within 30 days of today to view general travel times and ticket fares.

Booking horizon by country (in advance of the date of travel):* Czech Republic (International) - 60 days Denmark - 60 days Russia - 45 days Booking horizons for the major train lines or carriers (in advance of the date of travel):* City Night Line (CNL) - 122 days DB - 90 days France-Germany High Speed - 90 days France-Italy TGV - 90 days France-Spain High Speed - 90 days Germany-Italy Day - 120 days Romanian Night Trains - 90 days Thalys - 90 days *Subject to change. How do I book a train ticket on RailEurope.com? Easy! Follow this link to go to our rail booking tool and enter your itinerary (the trips you want to take and the dates you’d like to travel). You can search for tickets for a single one-way ride, a round trip journey, or a multi-city itinerary. Indicate the composition of your traveling party (how many people, children, seniors…). Once you’ve entered all the requested information, click search for fares and schedules.

Our system will look for available trains and current fares available within the relevant European rail carrier’s inventory. You’ll then be shown all the results, for each leg of your trip. To help you easily find the right ticket, there’s our “Fare Categorization” display. First, it provides a consistent booking experience across all railway companies operating in Europe. Then, it lets you compare options on any route and across all those carriers. We’ve sorted the fare options into three simple categories based on the level of comfort you’d like when traveling. The Economy category includes fare options in Second Class, ideal for the budget conscious traveler. The Comfort category provides travelers with an enhanced travel experience, in a First Class car. The Premier category is reserved for the most comfortable accommodations on premier trains. Those fares always include a meal on board and, in some cases, access to dedicated lounges in the train station. In addition to selecting your comfort level, we also let you choose between up to three ticket flexibility options, based on the different exchange and refund conditions offered by the rail carrier. You can select: Non-Flexible fares, which offer the best value, but are generally not exchangeable or refundable.

Semi-Flexible fares which may be exchanged or refunded prior to departure, but may require payment of a change fee. Flexible Fares, which can be exchanged prior to departure and are generally fully refundable. You’ll find that you can quickly view the detailed exchange and refund conditions, as well as get an in-depth look at seating options, amenities and services offered on board your train, for each fare option proposed. So, just browse and find the fare that is right for you and add that ticket to your itinerary. For your convenience, our booking tool will also attempt to find the relevant rail pass and reservations corresponding to any multi-city itinerary. Look for a box above the train schedules prompting you to cost compare traveling with tickets versus the cost of traveling with a rail pass. Are the fares offered on your website based on live availability? Yes, in most cases. The fares displayed on our website are based on current seat availability at the time you requested the fares and schedules for your itinerary. Rail Europe’s booking engine has a direct link to the inventory of many European rail carriers including SNCF, Eurostar, Thalys, DB, Trenitalia, RENFE, the UK’s Association Of Train Operating Companies and many more.

However, for some routes, we can only display a cached price at the time of quotation, based on generally available fares for those trains. Actual confirmation of space and fare takes place upon completion of your order. If there are any issues, you’ll be contacted. Do the prices quoted on the website include all fees and taxes? Fares quoted in our booking engine do not include fees. Depending on the booking delivery method you choose some fees may apply, like a Shipping & Handling Fee or a Rail Europe Booking Fee. These fees will be assessed at checkout when you choose your booking delivery method. Rail Europe does not collect sale tax on its products. Do you offer e-tickets? Adif - High speed lines High speed lines Adif´s timeline and experience Lines under construction Protection of the environment and cultural heritage Spanish technological expertise Connection with Europe. Interoperability development and ERTMS Spanish high-speed, a world leader International projects SPANISH HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY The Spanish High-Speed train service celebrated two decades in service in 2012, and did so as a world leader in terms of network length, modernity, the versatility of its fleet, commercial speed and punctuality.

In these twenty years Spain has developed what is, possibly, the most modern and advanced high-speed railway in the world. More than 121 million people have travelled on high speed trains on the Madrid-Seville line since the first commercial journey was made between these cities by an AVE high-speed train on 21st April 1992. Twenty years later, more than 300 high-speed trains are in service in Spain every day, serving around 100,000 passengers and some 80 Spanish cities and towns. The high speed service has grown, generating development and improving the country’s communications structure and people’s quality of life. Almost 23 million users per year (data for 2011: 22.83 million passengers) use the trains of the public operator, Renfe, operating at an average commercial speed of 222 km/h, faster than in both Japan (218 km/h) and France (216 km/h). One of the aspects most appreciated by users is the punctuality of service, which stands at almost 99%.

After 438 kilometres of railway line were put into service between Madrid, Albacete and Valencia, in 2010, Spain became first in Europe and second in the world, after China, in terms of the number of kilometres of high-performance line in operation, ahead even of countries with a great tradition in this type of transport, such as Japan and France. With completion of the Albacete – Alicante section, in June 2013, the Spanish high-speed railway network reached more than 3,100 km in service. The experience and technological knowledge gained have significantly increased the competitiveness and internationalisation of Spanish railway industry companies worldwide. With innovation in infrastructures, signalling, electrification and rolling stock, Spain is at the technological forefront of the railway’s R&D&i sector. More than 3,100 km in service 31 stations in 21 provinces. 60.3 of Spain´s population (according to data from the last Spanish National Statistics Institute municipal register) Another 50 cities benefit from services running on the high-speed and conventional networks, thanks to gauge changers.

Between 1992 and 2011, more than 140 million people travelled on high speed trains and another 52 million on other services running on the high-speed tracks Leaders in technology integration and railway interoperability. Commitments The main challenge for the future is to finish the corridors currently under construction and make it possible to complete the connections with France via Catalonia and the Basque Country. The goals are ambitious: That 9 out of 10 citizens should be less than 30 kilometres from the nearest high-speed station Benefits of high-speed railways Since its launch, 45,120 million euros has been invested in high-speed, making the railway industry one of the main engines of economic development in Spain. Increased investment drives job creation (both directly and indirectly), reinforces regional cohesion, and opens new markets, especially in the services sector. Commissioning of these high-speed lines benefits not only the cities they pass through, but also many Spanish regions, because of the interoperability of conventional and high-speed networks, made possible by gauge changing technology that allows adjustable-axle trains to circulate on both.

The social impact of the high-speed lines is also notable on roads, because of the creation of a new supply and demand scenario, and in aspects such as fewer accidents and time saved in road travel because of less congestion. Environmental integration is an important part of the philosophy inspiring all high-speed line development. Firstly, these lines reduce CO2 emissions, and second, they are responsible for a considerable saving in energy of tonnes of petroleum equivalent. The high-speed railway is an engine of economic development and sustainable transport TIMELINE AND ADIF’S EXPERIENCE IN HIGH-SPEED Between 2005 and 2013 Spain has become a world leader in high-speed trains. In this time, our country has multiplied the kilometres of high-speed lines in service more than 5-fold, from a little over 550 km to more than 3,100 km, and the benefits of this fast, secure and efficient mode of transport have been extended from 7 to 31 cities. Adif has played a key role in this success, which has involved a qualitative leap forward for the Spanish railway and Spanish engineering. The following are the main milestones of high-speed trains in Spain.

Since 2005, Adif has put several high-speed lines into service, overcoming all kinds of technical difficulties and the challenges of mountainous terrain. April 1992 Albacete - Alicante section (Madrid – Castile-La Mancha – Valencia Region – Murcia Region HSL) HIGH-SPEED LINES UNDER CONSTRUCTION Adif continues to make progress on works and projects commissioned by the Government, shortening distances and uniting various regions of Spain with high-speed services. The Ministry of Public Works is currently implementing more than 200 km, and has around another 2,800 km at the study or project design stage. The Ministry of Public Works is undertaking, among others, the Atlantic Corridor, the Mediterranean Corridor, Seville’s connections with Cadiz and Huelva and the line between Alcázar de San Juan and Jaen. Adif is building almost 1,500 km of high-speed line. Another 900 km are at the study or project design stage. Construction of the following high-speed lines has been assigned to Adif: Venta de Baños - Palencia - Léon - Asturias.

Length: 225 km (excluding the Pajares New Line) Pajares New Line. Length: 49.7 km Venta de Baños - Burgos - Vitoria. Length: 200.4 km Vitoria - Bilbao - San Sebastián. Length: 176.5 km (including accesses to cities) Madrid - Galicia. Olmedo - Zamora - Lubián - Ourense sections. Approximate length: 363 km Madrid – Castile-La Mancha – Valencia Region – Murcia Region. Length: 955 km (603 in service and 352 under construction) Extension of Madrid Southern Access-Torrejón de Velasco High-speed Mediterranean Corridor. Murcia-Almería section. Length: 184.4 km (not including the Murcia Railway Network) Antequera-Granada. Length: 125.7 km Madrid - Extremadura - Portuguese Border. Estimated length: 450 km Madrid: Atocha-Chamartín connection.

Length: 8.2 km PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURAL HERITAGE One of Adif’s top priorities in constructing new infrastructures is respect for the environment in which works are carried out, minimising impact and facilitating subsequent environmental integration. This is shown by the important commitment made in 2006 when the Strategic Plan for Quality and the Environment was adopted. This document, essential to Adif, sets out basic principles of environmental monitoring and sustainability to be used in creating policies aimed at protecting the environment and historical heritage. Adif not only applies the existing legislation on these matters, but uses all its resources to set new targets. The aim is to strike a balance between the benefits to be derived from constructing and operating a high-speed line with the need to preserve the common heritage of all citizens, both environmental and cultural. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the basic point of reference when implementing a new high speed line, as it sets the guidelines to be followed in order to ensure proper protection of the environment. This translates into many specific measures, such as halting works for biological reasons, waste treatment, installation of fauna paths, etc.

Protection of the environment is not limited to the natural environment, but also includes areas of archaeological and paleontological value. The law establishes the requirement for specialists to be present during the execution of works in order to detect and, where appropriate, study and protect any remains that may appear. Sometimes, archaeological charters listing already known sites give archaeologists knowledge in advance of what may be found. However, on other occasions works executed by Adif have brought to light remains of great value, contributing decisively to the progress of scientific research. As an example, the Lo Hueco paleontological site in the municipality of Fuentes (Cuenca Province) - one of the most important of its kind in Western Europe - was discovered quite by accident during track-bed works on the Madrid–Castile-La Mancha–Valencia Region–Murcia Region High-Speed Line. SPANISH TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE Spain is a world leader in high-speed rail designs and projects, in communication and signalling systems, in its capacity to build and maintain efficient and interoperable infrastructures at competitive prices, and in providing proprietary traffic management systems to ensure greater safety and efficiency.

The Spanish railway sector is at the forefront of technology, thanks to the development of interoperability and integration of the best railway technology (some developed in-house). It also excels at managing large projects, ensuring quality, price and delivery times. For example, Spain is outstanding in rail traffic management thanks to the DaVinci System, which has been bought by the Moroccan Railway Company Lithuania Railways, among others. We can also boast the highest implementation rate of the European signalling system of any European country, having more than 1,800 kilometres of railway line equipped with ERTMS. We also are also leaders in automatic gauge changer systems, which are of great interest to other countries, like Russia, with a different gauge from the standard. In addition, commitment to technological innovation has afforded Adif a large portfolio of railway products and patents available for the modernisation of the world’s railway system. This is the case, once again, with the DaVinci system, which is among the word’s most advanced traffic management systems, integrating in a single application all the systems that make up the elements of a Control and Regulation Centre. Meanwhile, in the railway electrification field, Adif has developed an entirely Spanish catenary system named C-350.

Finally, we should not forget new developments in electronic technology for level crossings protection, which have increased security at these strategic points of the rail network. CONNECTION WITH EUROPE: INTEROPERABILITY AND ERTMS Spain is at the forefront of research and development in ERTMS. It is the country with most kilometres of ERTMS in operation in the world. Major high-speed railway investments in recent years have allowed ERTMS to be developed in Spain,, which has 1,974 km of railway line equipped with ERTMS that is in service, of which 656 km are also equipped with Level 2, while the system continues to be implemented in new high-speed lines under construction. ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) is a command and control system for trains, designed to ensure that signalling and communications between the track infrastructure and on-board train equipment are compatible throughout Europe, thus progressing towards railway traffic interoperability between EU countries. The idea of achieving this compatibility was raised in 1996 by a European directive, but it was not until 2005 that the EU recommended member countries to adopt ERTMS as the control system for new lines, and to adapt existing ones.

Nevertheless, despite this recommendation, a railway line such as that connecting France and Germany has as many as 7 different signalling and control systems, meaning that for a train to run on this route it must either have all the systems in one cabin, or change cabins on each section. ERTMS is structured at various Levels, increasing in accordance with systems’ performance levels. At Level 1, transmission of information from track equipment to the train is made sporadically via Eurobalises, while at Level 2 transmission is continuous via GSM-R radio. Spain decided to implement the ERTMS system when constructing all new high-speed lines, adhering to the European directive and making a clear commitment to this new interoperable system. Spain has played a key role in the deployment, development and success of ERTMS, and is an international leader in operating the system properly. Our country has shown the rest of Europe that technical interoperability among all providers is possible, as this is the system implemented, with high levels of punctuality and reliability, on all of Adif's high-speed lines, except for the first Madrid-Seville line.

The longest interoperable route in Europe is between Barcelona and Malaga, on which a train fitted with Siemens' ERTMS runs on lines equipped with Thales, Ansaldo, LZB (using an STM translator of LZB to ERTMS) and Dimetronic. This line is the clearest example that interoperability is now a demonstrated fact. In Europe, Adif plays an active part in developing the trans-European railway network, promotes coordination of high-speed connections with France and Portugal, participates in developing international regulations on safety and interoperability, and promotes the installation of ERTMS on Corridor D. In addition, a pilot project to install ERTMS on the Madrid suburban network allowed Level 1 to be put into service on its C4 Line, last February. SPANISH HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY. INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE The Haramein Project. Medina-Mecca High-Speed Railway Consolidation of an international business line is one of the strongest commitments of the Fomento Group. The Group has already gained a high international reputation by developing the high-speed railway in Spain. This, in turn, has served as a springboard for the Spanish railway industry abroad, representing a good business opportunity.

In this regard, the recent award to a Spanish consortium of companies of the international tender to develop a high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia is the flagship project for Spain undertaking to expand its high-speed model abroad. The Spanish-Saudi consortium of Al Shoula Group is participated in by the Spanish public enterprises, Adif, Renfe, Ineco (under the Ministry of Public Works), Indra, OHL, Consultrans, Copasa, Imathia, Cobra, Dimetronic, Inabensa and Talgo, and by the Saudi companies, Al Shoula and Al Rosan. The Haramein Project, to build and operate the high-speed line between Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, with a budget of 6,736 million euros, represents an opportunity to export a complete high‑speed rail transport system, making us an international benchmark of excellence for other similar projects. Apart from being a major investment, this is a project led by companies in the Fomento Group that will transform transport habits in Saudi Arabia, offering new travel options to the millions of pilgrims who visit the holy cities in the west of the country each year.

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS Since their inception, both Adif and Renfe have built up an extensive network of relationships with rail infrastructure managers in other countries, signing cooperation protocols. In the context of these agreements, representatives of various countries like the USA, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Russia, Poland, Turkey and Morocco have come to Spain to learn about our high-speed model. Other delegations interested in learning about the Spanish railway system have also visited us, such as those from Sweden, China, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Saudi Arabia, India, Tunisia, Algeria, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Japan, Czech Republic, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Croatia, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Australia, Qatar, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia and South Africa. All the delegations that have visited us have been interested in our high-speed model in general, but have also shown interest in, among other things, our gauge changers, station construction and management, our Public-Private Collaboration (PPC) formula, the Atocha Control Centre, drilling work on the new underground connection between Chamartín and Puerta de Atocha stations, development of New Railway Technologies, and our conventional network.

For Adif, one of our key activities is to support and create consortia of Spanish companies to design and construct rail infrastructures and equipment abroad. In this regard, the collaboration agreements signed by Adif with various countries to develop their railway systems have been very successful, opening the door to Spanish companies interested in having an international presence in countries like Mexico, Russia, United Kingdom, Turkey, Poland, Morocco, Colombia, Chile, India, Brazil, USA and Saudi Arabia. Adif’s participation in this field is part of its strategy, and that of the Ministry of Public Works, to support and strengthen the presence of Spanish companies in foreign markets, and to achieve greater efficiency in the management of public resources. Spanish presence in these international railway projects represents the consolidation of this new vision of exporting our technology and our experience to international projects, in which we invest for the benefit of the “Spain brand” and for financial profit. USA The interest shown by the USA is especially notable, taking the form of numerous visits to Spain by official delegations from the Department of Transportation, Congress, Senate, Federal Railroad Administration, several States and high-speed rail authorities.

The visit by US Secretary of Transportation, Ray Lahood, resulted in the creation of a working group, already operating, to share information and boost technological cooperation between both countries. We should highlight the work being done by Adif to implement high-speed rail in the USA, which is one of countries to show most interest in the technology developed by Adif. So much so that Adif has reached agreements to share its experience and know-how to develop high‑speed lines in the USA, especially in the fields of construction, quality control, management and maintenance of high-speed lines. Turkey Turkish high-speed also speaks in Spanish. The first section of the Ankara-Istanbul HSL (between Ankara and Eskisehir), built by Spanish companies and using Spanish high-speed trains, had Adif and Renfe consultancy for its commissioning in March 2009. Adif specialists also contributed their expertise and extensive high-speed experience to put the Ankara-Konya HSL into service last August, with trains supplied by CAF and ERTMS system implementation by Dimetronic. Adif offers its experience in managing and developing Spanish railway networks to play an active role in developing the Turkish railway.

Adif specialists contribute their knowledge in areas ranging from construction techniques and maintenance and repair of high-speed tracks, to management, planning and regulation of railway traffic standards, using technologies such as ERTMS, ATP and the DaVinci traffic management system, for which Adif owns the intellectual property rights. Poland Another example of the good work being done internationally is the relationship with the Polish railway. In October 2008, Adif and PKP PLK, the Polish railway infrastructure manager, signed a cooperation agreement to facilitate the exchange of experience and innovation in rail technology between the two organisations. Russia We also collaborate closely with Russia, a country with which we have signed agreements covering various areas related to technology, operations, experience, studies, management, construction and maintenance of the railway infrastructure. Of particular note in this regard is the interest shown by Russian Railways in our experience in building and managing high-speed lines, in gauge changers, in station management and operation, and in finding Public-Private Collaboration solutions.

It should be noted in this regard that Russian Railways have embarked on an ambitious modernisation process that includes investment of 450,000 million dollars, up to the year 2030, in various areas of railway system management. In this context, Fomento is promoting the creation of an international consortium of Spanish companies to bid for the contract to construct, and subsequently manage, the high-speed railway line that Russia plans to build between Moscow and St. Petersburg. In addition, Russia has recently acquired seven trains with Talgo variable gauge technology for use on both domestic and international routes. In this regard, Adif will collaborate in the approval testing of these trains. Morocco Furthermore, the DaVinci railway traffic control and management system developed by Indra, over which Adif has the intellectual property rights, is being implemented on Morocco’s railway network.

The project, which began on 20th July 2009 with a budget of nearly three million euros, is considered by Adif as strategic, since it is the first full implementation of the DaVinci system in a foreign railway administration, and will also manage the future high-speed network in Morocco, for which construction has begun on the first line between Tangier and Kenitra. Adif also works with Moroccan railways to provide advice on management of projects to re-evaluate railway station spaces, and on designing and sizing stations to take account of environmental aspects, urban integration, intermodality, customer service and commercial sales, along with other aspects to enable railway stations in Morocco to provide advanced services to their users. Latin America In Latin America, Adif provides technical assistance for the maintenance and development of the railway traffic management tool on the Greta Chiriguaná-Santa Marta section of North Colombia Railways (Fenoco).

In addition, under a recently signed agreement with Acciona, Adif will support this company to bid for tenders to develop new railway corridors in Colombia, and to improve and refurbish existing lines, as part of the major modernisation plans promoted by the country’s Government for 2011-2014. Adif is also present in Mexico, where it has created a corporation, comprising Ineco and Adif, to participate in the development of the Mexican National Plan for 2007-2012, with planned investments of 160,000 million euros.

Question: The RENFE is the railway system of which country?
Answer: Spain