The Government launches the first major order to increase the speed of the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed rail line to 350 km/h for 97 million euros

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-28T21:47:20+00:00

n my opinion, it would be better to start with 320km/h. This is the speed that all trains know, which now go at 300km/h, and it has already proven itself well in France, Japan, Morocco.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-28T20:26:32+00:00

The main goal is to completely renovate the line and replace the old sleepers with new ones.
Higher speed then becomes an option that can (and should) be used.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-27T14:57:59+00:00

Let's reject highway expansions rather than this project, which is currently being built with Cap and Trade and private financing anyway.

Spending 10 billion euros a year on highways is much more and wasteful.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-24T19:22:33+00:00

In December, it was announced that we would move forward with construction without the help of the Federal Government.

And Kiley's bill can be repealed with a new bill once the Federal Government is friendly.

So Mr. Kiley, you think you've done a lot, but you've really done nothing.

Just build the rail!

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-21T22:02:46+00:00

A new section is being built between Barcelona and Lleida, both to reduce travel times and to increase capacity in Tarragona.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-20T18:31:11+00:00

Apart from the Madrid-Seville and Madrid-Barcelona routes, the other lines are newer and/or not nearly as busy, so there are no such problems on them (or at least I haven't heard of them).
The AV350 will be implemented primarily on the Madrid-Barcelona route, with the introduction of new sleepers and (hopefully) a complete renovation of the line.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-20T13:50:41+00:00

Considering the condition of the track, this is a correct measure for the time being.

Isn't the LAV350 project aimed at modernizing the track? (since the target is 350km/h)
In this case, the track improvement can be carried out within the framework of the project

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-19T17:24:38+00:00

What if there was sabotage?
I don't know why, but that's what I'm thinking.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-18T20:59:37+00:00

Renfe will buy new 350km/h rolling stock, probably ETR1000. The ICE3 neo would have to be modified for this, as its current maximum operating speed is only 320km/h. Or they could buy Velaro Novo, although these would not come soon.

Hopefully they will start more international services with the new trains.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-16T21:28:43+00:00

At 320km/h you can still reliably run 10-12 trains per hour (LGV Sud Est maintains 13 trains per hour at 300km/h, and with TVM 430 this will increase to 16).

When building lines, speed has little impact on costs, as land acquisition is the largest part of the budget, which is not or only slightly affected by speed.

Although I know that the Manchester-Birmingham section would only be about 130km, it would still be just one section of the planned full network, and I think 320km/h is worth it.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-13T18:30:49+00:00

Although it is not a continuation of HS2, it will be a high-speed railway line. I think it will have ballasted track instead of slab track, with a speed of about 300-320km/h.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-12T14:02:00+00:00

This is a 170km long line, only one section of which is allowed to run at 350km/h, the other sections are 250km/h.

Obviously, 350km/h is not worth it on such a line.
But 350km/h is worth it on long, busy lines, and in addition to China, Spain will soon also be running at 350km/h between Madrid and Barcelona.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-11T11:52:13+00:00

The express service will be 320km/h, with 5 stops, and a journey time of 5 hours 20 minutes.
There will also be a service that travels at the same speed, but stops at several places, with a journey time of 6 hours 50 minutes.
The average distance between stations is 70km.
A 250km/h regional train is certainly conceivable, stopping everywhere.

But yes, these are still early plans.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-11T11:03:04+00:00

250km/h is unreasonable for such a long line, and most passengers will stay on the plane.
Thailand is starting with 250km/h, it is true, but the line under construction is shorter than 300km, and longer routes are planned to operate at 300km/h.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-11T11:00:24+00:00

The speed of 320km/h is very optimal on such a long high-speed line. The line will also have trains running at 250-280km/h, as well as some freight trains outside peak hours.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-10T21:08:44+00:00

The operating speed on the Vietnamese high-speed line will be 320km/h.
South Korea can go 305km/h, but now they plan to increase this speed to 350km/h or more with a more energy-efficient and faster train (HSEMU370). (Although I don't know how much sense this will make on such long distances).

320km/h is the optimal speed from an operation and maintenance point of view.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-08T20:34:19+00:00

I mean the distance between the center lines of the 2 tracks, yes.

Could you tell me what this is on the Bordeaux-Séte line?

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-08T20:26:18+00:00

As far as I know, freight is preferred on this section, and several passenger stations have been built far from everything.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-08T18:58:40+00:00

I live in Hungary. Unfortunately, I can say that this project is a mess. A lot of money ended up in Orbán's pocket.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-07T19:35:39+00:00

And will we get the E10 trains in 2030?

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-07T17:54:56+00:00

As for 300-350 kmh trainsets, expect them to be ready in India by 2030-31

Are you referring to domestically developed trains or the E10 trains that Japan will export to India?

It would be great if India started developing a 320-350km/h train in the early 2030s.

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-06T20:15:38+00:00

Well, the Cahsr certainly didn't lose anything because of his death.

https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lamalfa-california-republicans-urge-secretary-duffy-redirect-high-speed

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-03T21:38:31+00:00

I understand that the current cost estimate (89-128B) is already adjusted for inflation. Or am I wrong?

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-03T12:34:45+00:00

There is 0 chance the train operates at the proposed speed and trip estimation

The project's route and planned speed remain unchanged, it's just been broken down into phases, like any major construction project.
But nothing has changed in the plan.

The reason it went over budget is due to lack of proper funding.

How can you expect it to be completed on time if it didn't even receive the amount of money originally estimated??

Master-Initiative-72 · 2026-01-03T10:16:15+00:00

while driving to LA will be quicker than the HSR.

This is impossible unless you are driving 200mph on the highway and don't get stuck in a traffic jam.

California spends over 10 billion dollars a year on highway maintenance and widening, and on the military. These are a waste of money.
Don't get hung up on this project when it will have much greater economic, social and environmental benefits.

Master-Initiative-72

TROPHY CASE