Valencia to Madrid onboard high speed Talgo trains. AVE S-112 review
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
train
I'm conflicted over the AVE. I've ridden it myself, from Alicante to Madrid and back, and it was brilliant - smooth, fast and comfortable. It's an objectively brilliant service. But the train was more than half-empty, we had stops at empty ghost stations in the middle of nowhere (Vilena Alta in particular sticks in my memory) and you could tell its introduction had heralded a heavy contraction in investment in the old Iberian gauge line that it followed the course of. There were a fair few eerie-looking, half-abandoned stations along the route, in stark contrast to the shiny, but almost completely empty, new ones we stopped at. An enjoyable trip, but one that never sat right in the back of my mind given what I saw during it.
Your video of your ride from Portbou to Girona certainly brought back some memories of that trip for me, albeit from the other side - graffiti-covered, empty trains, intermediate stations in terrible condition (assuming they were even still open for business) and a reluctant acceptance that local and regional services must face the consequences of the politically-driven AVE project. The same has happened in many peripheral regions of France too with their TGV network growth, but the impact has been uniquely profound in Spain, which for all the political will in the world remains a heavily regionalised country where there is little economic necessity for most people to ever need to regularly travel between regions. The AVE is a nice thing to have, but only a handful of Spaniards actually NEED it.
It's no secret that AVE is a heavy loss-maker for the Spanish government, and ridership remains anaemic at best. While I can only applaud the engineering genius that went into its continued growth, the reality is that it will never be profitable, and local communities are having their quality of service butchered to make way for it, assuming they're lucky enough for it to survive at all. I'd go as far as to say the AVE project is as serious a social malaise in Spain as the Beeching Cuts were in the UK in the 1960s.
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I'm conflicted over the AVE. I've ridden it myself, from Alicante to Madrid and back, and it was brilliant - smooth, fast and comfortable. It's an objectively brilliant service. But the train was more than half-empty, we had stops at empty ghost stations in the middle of nowhere (Vilena Alta in particular sticks in my memory) and you could tell its introduction had heralded a heavy contraction in investment in the old Iberian gauge line that it followed the course of. There were a fair few eerie-looking, half-abandoned stations along the route, in stark contrast to the shiny, but almost completely empty, new ones we stopped at. An enjoyable trip, but one that never sat right in the back of my mind given what I saw during it.
Your video of your ride from Portbou to Girona certainly brought back some memories of that trip for me, albeit from the other side - graffiti-covered, empty trains, intermediate stations in terrible condition (assuming they were even still open for business) and a reluctant acceptance that local and regional services must face the consequences of the politically-driven AVE project. The same has happened in many peripheral regions of France too with their TGV network growth, but the impact has been uniquely profound in Spain, which for all the political will in the world remains a heavily regionalised country where there is little economic necessity for most people to ever need to regularly travel between regions. The AVE is a nice thing to have, but only a handful of Spaniards actually NEED it.
It's no secret that AVE is a heavy loss-maker for the Spanish government, and ridership remains anaemic at best. While I can only applaud the engineering genius that went into its continued growth, the reality is that it will never be profitable, and local communities are having their quality of service butchered to make way for it, assuming they're lucky enough for it to survive at all. I'd go as far as to say the AVE project is as serious a social malaise in Spain as the Beeching Cuts were in the UK in the 1960s.
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-dobbinism
Thanks Thibault, good report. I travelled that route five years ago from Madrid to Valencia, then up the east coast to Vinaros on the Alvia train. It was August and, true enough, the train was fully booked, so yes, your are correct, it can be very busy. Part of the experience was to go through the wheel gauge changing shed at Valencia so that we could continue on the classic line. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I love Spain and the Spanish people, so full of life!
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Thanks Thibault, good report. I travelled that route five years ago from Madrid to Valencia, then up the east coast to Vinaros on the Alvia train. It was August and, true enough, the train was fully booked, so yes, your are correct, it can be very busy. Part of the experience was to go through the wheel gauge changing shed at Valencia so that we could continue on the classic line. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I love Spain and the Spanish people, so full of life!
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-NSE465
Whats so funny about auriculares? And Renfe are ok. But its not as good as IZY or DB or SNCF/inoui. The trains arent always clean either. Once i boarded a train in madrid and i got a mouth full from the staff. Just ranted at me at such pace i just told him to vete a la mierda and got on a different coach. Odd. Other than that i enjoyed Renfe and this video --
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Whats so funny about auriculares? And Renfe are ok. But its not as good as IZY or DB or SNCF/inoui. The trains arent always clean either. Once i boarded a train in madrid and i got a mouth full from the staff. Just ranted at me at such pace i just told him to vete a la mierda and got on a different coach. Odd. Other than that i enjoyed Renfe and this video --
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train
I really do not get the -small- comment about the train. It's lower, that's true, but it's actually wider not narrower than regular HSTs. It looks like this was your 1st time on a Talgo train and you were a bit shocked as their unique technology is different from what you are used to.
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I really do not get the -small- comment about the train. It's lower, that's true, but it's actually wider not narrower than regular HSTs. It looks like this was your 1st time on a Talgo train and you were a bit shocked as their unique technology is different from what you are used to.
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-toukyoumaster8734
British trains ARE horrendously small. They use standard gauge but they loading gauge (size of tunnels and clearance around tracks) is basically the smallest in the world, to the point that many narrow gauge rail networks have larger loading gauges than the UK.
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British trains ARE horrendously small. They use standard gauge but they loading gauge (size of tunnels and clearance around tracks) is basically the smallest in the world, to the point that many narrow gauge rail networks have larger loading gauges than the UK.
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-giostisskylas
01: 16 Ouch. the locomotive looks like a Fiat Multipla. With all due respect, what did the designers think of the look of the train? The Fiat Multipla is widely considered to be the ugliest car in the world. Why is this design sin repeated on this locomotive?
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01: 16 Ouch. the locomotive looks like a Fiat Multipla. With all due respect, what did the designers think of the look of the train? The Fiat Multipla is widely considered to be the ugliest car in the world. Why is this design sin repeated on this locomotive?
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-bedhunter
Security check at HS stations in Spain are much more 'loose' than in an airport. And much faster to walk through.
Once, I boarded an Ave with a sword from Toledo, which was warped with present paper but everyone knew it was a friking sword -
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Security check at HS stations in Spain are much more 'loose' than in an airport. And much faster to walk through.
Once, I boarded an Ave with a sword from Toledo, which was warped with present paper but everyone knew it was a friking sword -
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-teleopinions1367
I think train tickets in Spain are a fraction of what they're in the UK, so people shouldn't complaint too much about the trains. And, usually the people in Spain are a lot warmer and friendlier than they are in the UK.
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I think train tickets in Spain are a fraction of what they're in the UK, so people shouldn't complaint too much about the trains. And, usually the people in Spain are a lot warmer and friendlier than they are in the UK.
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-EpicThe112
The ones that are gauge Changer capable are actually capable of operating reduce power on French 1. 5kv dc lines 1. 435m because it's only half power of Spanish 3kv dc broad gauge conventional line 1. 668m
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The ones that are gauge Changer capable are actually capable of operating reduce power on French 1. 5kv dc lines 1. 435m because it's only half power of Spanish 3kv dc broad gauge conventional line 1. 668m
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-victormontes4143
Unfortunately in Spain we have too many kilometer of high speed railway for our small country. The -AVE- do not generate profit for Renfe, and usually is used for political promises.
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Unfortunately in Spain we have too many kilometer of high speed railway for our small country. The -AVE- do not generate profit for Renfe, and usually is used for political promises.
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-loveofchrist1840
Simply cheep and not very welcoming, and not very nice. I would not travel on this one, but I don't have to worry about it, I will not be traveling to Europe anytime soon! LOL!
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Simply cheep and not very welcoming, and not very nice. I would not travel on this one, but I don't have to worry about it, I will not be traveling to Europe anytime soon! LOL!
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train
Spain has the best and largest network of high-speed trains in the world only second to China. That is a fact. Spain also has the largest network of highways in Europe. Number 1.
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Spain has the best and largest network of high-speed trains in the world only second to China. That is a fact. Spain also has the largest network of highways in Europe. Number 1.
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-wedwardes
Be aware that the High-Speed trains go from a different station in Valencia. Close enough by free shuttlebus but don't make the mistake of thinking it is the same station.
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Be aware that the High-Speed trains go from a different station in Valencia. Close enough by free shuttlebus but don't make the mistake of thinking it is the same station.
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-cooleymike1
Really like that tray table for the first class, and the cafe car looks spacious, they used the space quite well. Thanks for sharing another great video
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Really like that tray table for the first class, and the cafe car looks spacious, they used the space quite well. Thanks for sharing another great video
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-Doesntmatter64
The best train in Europe to me. Very beautiful interior, short cars with not to many people and a lot of space for luggages. Perfect, I love Talgo
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The best train in Europe to me. Very beautiful interior, short cars with not to many people and a lot of space for luggages. Perfect, I love Talgo
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-CityWhisperer
I really like that the coaches are low. Not only accessibility but overall it's more comfortable to board that train than to have to climb steps.
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I really like that the coaches are low. Not only accessibility but overall it's more comfortable to board that train than to have to climb steps.
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-LoveStallion
Spain has some of the best trains in Europe, and I believe it now has the second-largest high-speed network in the world after only China.
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Spain has some of the best trains in Europe, and I believe it now has the second-largest high-speed network in the world after only China.
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-happybelly1204
You seem to be in a real hurry to get to your destination. But please spare some time to the subtitles. Otherwise, just speak!
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You seem to be in a real hurry to get to your destination. But please spare some time to the subtitles. Otherwise, just speak!
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-alexmcwhirter6602
Talgo trains are not conventional. I would have liked if that point had been made and also what was the ride quality like?
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Talgo trains are not conventional. I would have liked if that point had been made and also what was the ride quality like?
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train
If you travel Preferente, the ticket includes a full meal service, wine and other drinks, coffee, newspapers all served at your seat.
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If you travel Preferente, the ticket includes a full meal service, wine and other drinks, coffee, newspapers all served at your seat.
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-bly2489
Wow, I'm surprised. It looks like a really great train. Except that exterior. I'm sorry but in my eyes it's just plain ugly.
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Wow, I'm surprised. It looks like a really great train. Except that exterior. I'm sorry but in my eyes it's just plain ugly.
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-medtrains
Awesome video! You have explained all the things very well, even the train's nickname. Nice!
Greetings from Valencia -
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Awesome video! You have explained all the things very well, even the train's nickname. Nice!
Greetings from Valencia -
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-tobiasullrich651
What is the max. Speed on this line in normal operation? Is it really 330 or 300 like on the barcelona-madrid line?
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What is the max. Speed on this line in normal operation? Is it really 330 or 300 like on the barcelona-madrid line?
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-theggfed7958
I live in valencia and I had the privilege of travel through the line 4 times. And I m still excited like the first time
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I live in valencia and I had the privilege of travel through the line 4 times. And I m still excited like the first time
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-aqua0957
On the high speed trains in China there's also security, along with the other types of trains there, even on the metro.
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On the high speed trains in China there's also security, along with the other types of trains there, even on the metro.
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train
6: 46
When can you use the sala executive? It doesn't appear when selecting seats at Renfe's website
Very weird
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6: 46
When can you use the sala executive? It doesn't appear when selecting seats at Renfe's website
Very weird
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-MrJimheeren
Hey Dovetail do us all a favor and make this route happen. I-ve seen enough English routes thank you very much
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Hey Dovetail do us all a favor and make this route happen. I-ve seen enough English routes thank you very much
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-CityWhisperer
4: 19 That's the 'business people' coach for sure. Everyone on the laptop and mobile phone lol.
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4: 19 That's the 'business people' coach for sure. Everyone on the laptop and mobile phone lol.
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-orlandotorres8078
FYI Joaquin Sorolla is a temporary station. Also, I hope you enjoyed your stay at Valencia
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FYI Joaquin Sorolla is a temporary station. Also, I hope you enjoyed your stay at Valencia
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-cellperfecto406
No, price of cafeteria is not cheap. At least in my city a coffee cost around less than 2-
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No, price of cafeteria is not cheap. At least in my city a coffee cost around less than 2-
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-ruboncio795
This unit can't change de gauge, the units that can change are: ut-130 and more trains alvia.
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This unit can't change de gauge, the units that can change are: ut-130 and more trains alvia.
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train
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train
and I thought that only the french and the germans bild high speed trains - never heard of Talgo
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and I thought that only the french and the germans bild high speed trains - never heard of Talgo
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-declanburke3746
Do they actually do 330 km. Didn't think anywhere outside of France do 330km ph----
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Do they actually do 330 km. Didn't think anywhere outside of France do 330km ph----
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-neskranendonk5552
Well if you think that valencia is overequiped then you haven't seen Malaga yet.
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Well if you think that valencia is overequiped then you haven't seen Malaga yet.
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