Saturday, December 28, 2024

Lavern-Subirats, Sant Vicenç de Calders, L'Arboç, Gelida

I'm still in Catalonia, Spain, and today, I will visit the freight line between Barcelona and Tarragona.
The famous Catalan cava is manufactured here.
In the background, there is the Montserrat mountain

Lavern-Subirats
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Tren sin parada

La Granada
I'm visiting Sant Vicenç de Calders
In the summer, the freight traffic was split, taking the railway through Vilafranca eastbound, and through Vilanova westbound, so I missed some of the trains. So, let's see what is the situation today

Freight train coming from Valls
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Heading to Vilafranra
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At L'Arboç station, the high speed line is located just next to the Iberian gauge line

There were extensive upgrades recent years on this line, but it looks like everything is now completed
Among other upgrades, there is a preparation for dual gauge operation on this line.


A complicated version of a railroad switch

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Finally, a train westbound that I spotted in Gelida
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Barcelona



Friday, December 27, 2024

Valls, La Plana-Picamoixons, Vilaverd, Montblanc

I'm soon traveling to Spain, but first a Christmas visit in the Närke/Värmland region
There is no snow this Christmas 2024



I'm taking the train to Oslo Gardemoen airport


Oslo airport is nice and spacy 
Ho ho ho
In Spain it is sunny, surprise surprise
The traditional freight line between Barcelona and Tarragona is closed for renovation, so the trains are taking the other route from Sant Vicens de Calders to Valls
Valls station
Even though the freight trains usually take the route through Tarragona, this line is still the classic main line between Barcelona and Madrid
Here is 251 012 from 1983


The line here has a single track, and right now it is used at its maximum capacity
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This locomotive was involved in an accident caused by a storm in 2019

After switching the drivers the train is moving forward



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The line also has passenger trains.
Some are just non-stopping and coming from Tarragona taking a detour through Valls






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La Plana-Picamoixons with a connection to Tarragona

Cats at Vilaverd







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Montblanc
High speed line is nearby


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