Renfe’s luxury Al Ándalus Train has completed the technical tests to certify its commercial circulation on Portuguese tracks.
On 5 February, the train’s reduced trainset, including two boxcars, a lounge car, and four sleeping cars (Gran Clase and Deluxe), crossed the border from Badajoz to Torre das Vargens station.
The main objective of these tests was to verify that the train’s use of the Portuguese lines would not affect the signalling and safety systems due to the electromagnetic return. To this end, the train ran on the mentioned line and 2 km of the decommissioned Cáceres branch line, which connects Torre das Vargens with Valencia de Alcántara, and was rehabilitated for this occasion.
The positive results confirm the feasibility of scheduling commercial traffic between Spain and Portugal with the Al Andalus.
This initiative, promoted by Renfe’s Tourist Trains Department, represents a significant opportunity to promote tourism in the Iberian region.
The tests’ success marks an important milestone in the expansion of tourist operations, allowing Renfe to offer a unique and luxurious travel experience between the two countries.