Railways - Spain: Books - History and Rolling Stock

Iberian Railways

Steam locomotives remained in service on the main lines of Spain and Portugal until the late 1970s, with some Spanish mining companies using them into the 1980s. Iberian railways were unusual in Europe for their broad gauge of 5 ft 3 in.

This book documents some of the last Spanish main-line steam services around Salamanca in 1974, including both passenger and freight trains, as well as coal lines from Andorra to Escatrón and the narrow-gauge Ponferrada-Villablino system.

It also features the final steam trains on Portugal's broad-gauge Douro Valley line from Porto to Régua and Pocinho, along with narrow-gauge branch lines passing through the scenic Port wine region, using historic locomotives and rolling stock.

From his personal collection, George Woods presents a selection of previously unpublished colour photographs, capturing an area rarely seen in print.

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Loks der spanischen Eisenbahnen RENFE seit 1941

The economic consequences of the Spanish Civil War led to the founding of the Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (RENFE) on January 24, 1941. Around 50 years later, the first high-speed train, AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), ran between Madrid and Seville.
Spain now has one of the most important high-speed rail networks in the world.

Railway enthusiasts know that there is an interesting railway network to travel on the Iberian Peninsula, which offers a varied fleet of vehicles from the AVE to the Talgo, which the expert Thomas Estler explains.
Each type is presented with a photo, a historical description and technical data.

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El Canfranc, Historia de un Tren de Leyenda

This is a tale of trains, portraying a past of nostalgia, decline, heroism, effort, joy, hopelessness, and harsh reality. It's a book brimming with emotions, primarily dedicated to Canfranc and its trains, station, and the Pau-Canfranc-Zaragoza line.

This book, written by Alfonso Marco, offers a comprehensive account for the first time, detailing the trains that traversed and still traverse the Pyrenean surroundings of the Aragón Valley. It delves into the historical episodes of a route both symbolic and unfortunate, losing its international utility long ago yet retaining its character.

The author approaches this remarkable railway legacy with honesty, avoiding sentimentality. While focusing on its rail significance, Marco also acknowledges Canfranc's broader social, scenic, economic, and historical implications. Without trains, Canfranc would lose its purpose, yet it holds dimensions beyond just rail transport.

Text in Spanish.

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El ferrocarril de la rodalia de Barcelona - Des dels orígens fins la creació de Renfe

The Rodalies service in Barcelona is a highly topical issue. It is necessary to increase the transport offer and ensure that journeys are less polluting and more efficient.
With this approach in mind, it is interesting to know the origin of the railway network that comprises the Rodalies service. The routes that we know today are the result of more or less bold initiatives and more or less successful projects, subject to their historical context. Engineers such as Ildefons Cerdà, Eduard Maristany or Fernando Reyes contributed to improving the society of their time.

Text in Catalan.

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El ferrocarril de las cercanías de Barcelona - Desde los orígenes hasta la creación de Renfe

The Barcelona Suburban Railway service is currently a pressing topic, aiming to expand transportation options while promoting cleaner and more efficient travel. Understanding the origins of this railway network is crucial, as its routes reflect various historical initiatives and projects by engineers like Ildefons Cerdà, Eduard Maristany, and Fernando Reyes, who aimed to enhance society.

This book explores the history of the Barcelona Suburban Railway from its inception to the formation of Renfe in 1941. It delves into the reasons behind most railway routes, station placements, and the strengths and limitations of inherited infrastructures that form the basis for today's train operations.

Text in Spanish.

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Historia del ferrocarril en España

This book provides a detailed account of the establishment and evolution of the railway system in Spain, spanning from the first railroad in colonial Cuba to the modern high-speed train stations. It includes supplementary sections featuring anecdotes, interesting facts, profiles of key figures in railway history, and literary excerpts from renowned Spanish authors who celebrated the railway in their works.

Text in Spanish.

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Trenes por España

The steam trains of the 19th century made leisure and adventure travel possible under secure conditions, marking the beginning of modern tourism. In Spain, this revolution commenced on October 28, 1848, with the line connecting the city of Barcelona to Mataró.

"Trenes por España" compiles the most significant routes that exist today. Some are historical, others stand out for the beauty of their journeys; there are those considered luxurious, and thematic trains that transport travelers to another era.

This book, as described by its author Sergi Reboredo, is a wish list featuring some of the most interesting train journeys in Spain. While some may be familiar to the public, others may be less known or entirely unknown, but all aim to provide travelers with an experience that, to this day, remains very much alive: traveling by train.

Text in Spanish.

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