Last day of 2018 I'm spending by taking different trains between León and Barcelona
Plaza Mayor in the morning
Catedral de León
I have some time before my first train, so I will have a chance to see León during the daylight
Basílica de San Isidoro
Las Cabezadas monument
City hall
Catedral in the sunlight
Padre e Hijo
In the morning it is time for the delivery to local restaurants and pubs
Statue of Antoni Gaudi
Monument of Angel Barja
Parroquia de San Marcelo
"La Negrilla" statue
Lions in León
The old station in León
Not sure what's going on here
The new, temporary station on the other side
Security control before boarding the platforms
High speed line between Valladolid and León opened in 2015. There are 2 daily direct AVE services between Madrid and León taking 2h10min, to be compared with almost 5h when taking Media Distancia train.
Security control means X-ray for the luggage
The temporary station is a terminus. Here are the standard gauge tracks
This New Year's Ever the first train from León is at 10:44
Two Class 252 locomotives
Alvia Class 130 is arriving from Gijon
All seats (except the ones in the front) are facing the direction of the train
Iberian gauge railway and Standard gauge
This Alvia Class 130 can be used on both gauges, but it is using the Iberian gauge railway here
Complimentary drink
Sahagun
High speed line runs in parallel here
Villada station. My Alvia train do not stop here, but some other trains does - like R.Expres and Intercity
Grijota
At Palencia the two railways are connecting again, as well as the line from Santander
This Alvia train continues to Barcelona - but I'm taking another route
The left track is Iberian gauge, the right one is the standard gauge
Estación del Norte in Palencia
Palencia is about twice as small as León in terms of population
Calle Antonio Maura
Plaza Mayor
City hall
Diputación Provincial de Palencia
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Calle
Familiar Swedish town names here
Iglesia de San Miguel
Carrión river
Stork
I'm back at the station
Jardinillos de la Estación
R.Expres train from Santander to Valladolid
Class 470
The trip Palencia-Valladolid takes 45min with the Iberian gauge railway, and 25min with High speed railway, which I'm going to use shorly
AV City is a new concept from Renfe, which means that the trains are using same route as AVE high speed trains, but with a reduced train tickets and less comfort. This AV City service is between León and Madrid.
Class 121 is used for this AV City service
Only Turista class on this train
Iberian gauge line
The Venta de Baños Triangle, which will facilitate all direct traffic connections that are possible between Valladolid, Palencia, León and Burgos.
Venta de Baños
25 min later I'm in Valladolid
Madrid-Valladolid high speed line opened in 2007
Valladolid Campo Grande station opened in 1856
Class 114 Avant train
Classes 121 and 114
I'm changing trains here once again in order to ride with a Class 114 for the remaining trip to Madrid on this line.
Avant service between Valladolid and Madrid
Avant train has also just Turista class
Vending machine on board
Segovia
There is only 1 stop between Valladolid and Madrid in Segovia
Entering the 28,4km long Guadarrama Tunnel - the longest in Spain
Approaching Madrid
Cuatro Torres Business Area
Gauge changer facility
Madrid Chamartin station
Renfe Class 334
Renfe Class 446
I'm taking Cercanias train between Chamartin and Atocha stations in Madrid with a stop in the main square
Puerta del Sol
The main place in Spain to celebrate the New Year
Carlos III
Back to the Cercanias station
There is a connection between Chamartin and Atocha for long distance trains - at the moment only for Iberian gauge
These trains do not stop at the Cercanias stations
Another long distance train
My last train to Barcelona will be this AVE Class 103
Leaving Madrid
Some snacks and a drink included in 1st class ticket
