Trials start for Málaga to Madrid by train in two
Many of the AVE trains are already arriving at their destination up to 15 minutes early
WHILE those using the new high-speed rail link between Málaga and Madrid have already been impressed with the speed of travel, plans are underway to increase it even more. Trials have started which will reduce the journey time between the two cities by a further 30 minutes.
Although the official time for the non-stop service to the capital is given as two and a half hours, many of the AVE trains already arrive at their destination up to 15 minutes early. However, once technical upgrades are completed, drivers will be allowed to exceed the present limit of 300 kilometres per hour, travelling at up to 350 kph in the most modern rolling stock.
The Ministry of Development last week announced that the line between Málaga and Córdoba is being upgraded to level two of the European Rail Traffic Management System, ERMTS, which is the common system for managing railways throughout the EU. This will allow automatic tracking of every train and help to authorise and control its progress by way of signalling. Ballast beneath the tracks is also being checked to ensure it is adequate to cope with higher speeds, while Renfe is studying train movements at Madrid Atocha station where a lack of platforms causes saturation and delays.
The existing AVE locomotives and carriages do not require upgrading as they are already designed for travel at 320 kph in the case of the S-102 model, or 350 kph for the S-103. The start date for two hour travel to Madrid will be announced once the trials have been successfully completed.Tourism promotion campaignMeanwhile, a campaign to bring more visitors to Málaga by AVE has been launched by the city. The tourism department at the town hall has been staging promotions at commercial centres in Sevilla, and this month moves on to Córdoba, Puerto Llano and Toledo.
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