Zaragoza - Canfranc ( Aragon Spain) SLOW TV

[Pyreneenguy]

Got 3 hours and 45 mins to spare ?

Why not enjoy a cab ride from Zaragoza to Canfranc Interncional, in the heart of the Pyrénées.

 

[AndrewE]

That is some train ride! Very interesting to see the mixed-gauge track and pointwork about an hour in (Tardiente to Huesca.) Investment in infrastructure... why can't we do it (apart from in a few favoured places?)

 

[Pyreneenguy]

Infrastructure in Spain has profited enormously from the European Union. Currently there is just the one, daily return AVE Huesca to Madrid. Imagine such a business case in the UK.

The reopening of the line from Bedous to Canfranc, once a pipe-dream is looking more and more likely. The huge International station at Canfranc is being redeveloped: 5 star hotel, apartments etc.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Very interesting - I travelled this route in 1998 from Pau to Zarogoza. The Pau to Oloron St Marie line was still electrified then and the connecting bus to Canfranc ran over the Somport Pass - the road tunnel was still under construction. Canfranc station was extraodinary and very atmospheric - RENFE trains still ran into the main platform then and you could wander freely around - it was a time warp with the customs tables and departure indicators etc all still in place. Shortly before departure, there was a violent thunderstorm with water pouring in every nook and cranny, At Heusca reversal was necessary into the old terminus, and the Zarogoza end-point was Portillo - now vanished and replaced with an underground Cercanias station. I look forward to it being restored as a through route - is standard gauge right through to Zaragoza being proposed?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Considering the terrain and the break of gauge (and the historical political reasons for the break of gauge) it's surprising that there are/were multiple cross-border routes/transfers between France and Spain. The tri-gauge station at Latour de Carol surprisingly has survived with all three routes (all of which are breathtakingly scenic) but has lost a would-be 4th route on the Spanish side, which left the Barcelona line at Puigcerda (one stop down the hill from LdC). The remains of the junction for this route can still be seen, and I'm not sure when it closed or where it finished up (though it appears to head vaguely in the direction of Madrid).

 

[AndrewE]

Considering the terrain and the break of gauge (and the historical political reasons for the break of gauge) it's surprising that there are/were multiple cross-border routes/transfers between France and Spain.

Even 50 or 60 years ago (especially in Spain) if something didn't go by rail then it just didn't go (except by sea.) Hence Transfesa freight vans with their adjustable wheel/axle combinations, and through portions of overnight trains being jacked up while the bogies were swapped. I remember doing it as a passenger at least once.
I haven't seen any historical or political reasons quoted for this break of gauge: Please enlighten us?

 

[duesselmartin]

Canfranc Station certainly looks very large. I hope it will find good use.
There seem to be only two trains a day on the Spanish and non from the French side?
Any freight to sustain the line?