I can confirm sitting on a wooden bench in the corner is an excellent replacement of the lounge.

As a regular Scotrail passenger - I'd have tested the water BEFORE the soap! I often find the soap works and the water doesnt. Which is a problem.

the extra security might be because of the 2004 Train bombings in Madrid, i still remember it passing on TV. i had to do the same in Belgium when i went with the Eurostar to London in 2016.

Since I’m a little kid, I always loved the series 130 because of this sleek design I am absolutely a fan, I like it even more that the taurus design from Siemens

I took the Euromed from Barcelona to Castellón last fall and I don’t remember the ride being uncomfortable at all. I even fell asleep on the way there! Though maybe my standards are rock-bottom as an American 😅

Hello! When you were entering Valencia, that big grey box was another gauge changer. Amazing video! 👏👏

Saludos a todos desde España. Greetings to all from Spain.

I rode one of those in Uzbekistan, on the Afrosiyob service to Samarkand last year. The interior was pretty much the same.

11:09 “There’s a buffet car named train cafeteria” (ie cafeteria del tren) 🤣

All train transport is amazing! As an American, I can confirm that all the trains shown on this channel are amazing! Germans and British people who complain about their trains are really lucky compared to us. We hardly have any passenger trains.

Great trip. The train design reminds me about duck. Gauge changing like this is definitely great invention.

The security check and ridiculous queueing is by far the most annoying part of travelling long distance in Spain.

7:06 the "retro" lcd screen is also on the Amtrak Cascades talgo 8 sets, which were built in 2013. They are located in a different spot though.

The security check probably has to do with the 2004 Madrid train bombings. It has been argued that Talgo trains without the gauge changing technology can be very comfortable. The high-speed train in Saudi Arabia uses Talgo trains on Chinese-built tracks, and they are very comfortable and quiet, according to another travel channel. But it probably has extra suspension, which might be impossible to add to trains with the gauge-changing technology.

I liked the way this train changes its wheels from broad gauge to standard gauge… Being a high speed train this is rare but a nice feature to have…

That is one thing I miss, noisy trains and track, that clickity clack from 88 ft long rails. One could work out the speed with a bit of counting, timing and mental arithmetic. The creaking of wood panelling was actually quite soothing. Why do you think that anything 20 years old is actually old, the design may be a tad dated but that is often a good thing as some modern design sucks, modern seats are hard compared to the old spring and horsehair ones.

That gauge changing is remarkable. I was supposed to go on a Talgo train from Narbonne in France to Barcelona, however I had missed the info the seat reservation is compulsory on that train. So I had to change plans. I went to Marseille instead. Some time later I flew to Barcelona. I expected that gauge changing to go even slower.

The bays of four don't have tables because when the train runs in the opposite direction, one of the rows turns and it's no longer a bay of four.

Nice travel report.

Nice video. Keep up up the good work.

Not going to lie but I love each and every one of your uploads!

Good video, subscribed. Please come to Badajoz on the refurbished Alvias S730

I’ve taken that train from Barcelona to Valencia and back… I don’t remember any discomfort during travel.. I know that Talgo trains like to be driven fast because at speeds lower than 70 miles an hour… oscillation begins from side to side… but I experienced that phenomenon on other high-speed trains. High-speed trains do not like to be ran slow.

Love to try out Renfe, especially between Barcelona and Madrid as they do look more interesting, the more I see other viewers reviewing them.

Cheers fella 👍

Dark at 6:15am.....in the summer??? ....was this video recorded earlier this year (in Spring time?). Interesting video, thanks for posting.

The power outlets are always under in the middle of your seat in this model train... And you may take the refreshed S730 (similar to the S130) on the Badajoz -> Madrid Line

1:47 ffs SuperAlb haha it sure was the biggest fan!

"Euromed" could as well be a hospital or a doctor's union ;-)

Slick Chris deBurgh ref near the beginning...

In Spain that train is not sold as a high-speed train...it is an alvia. The only high-speed train that changes gauge is the new Avril.

This train feels like it's run by an airline. The boarding, meal offer, dynamic pricing, noisy interior, onboard entertaiment... they even did the airplane style movie display lol

Even fewer bogies than the wonderful Leyland railbus. 😁

Oh the renfe 120, one of the duck train brothers

2:24 there is a reason for it why they did that it has to do with the 11th March 2004 Madrid train bombings which explains that style of security. Excellent video and there is another version of talgo gauge changing train it's the high-speed Avril max speed 310 kmh 190 mph-320 kmh 200 mph speaking of your train it also has another capability passive tilt. 5:40 one more reason to write this has happened to Spain they were in the wrong time zone since 1940 the correct time zone for them is the one used for Portugal and United Kingdom

Thanks

its very cool, i rode it from valencia to barcelona to visit sagrada familia and other places, but it was cool to see how they derailed the train to change gauge 😂

Hello Its me again! When are you coming back to Finland? I’m still waiting for your trip report about the 8h route to Oulu😢 coming soon i hope😔 anyhow good report!

I do not know why but I love the word antimacassar, maybe becuase it seems so Victorian (or reminds me of my granny).

Doesn't sound like this was your best trip!

Queueing or not,Spain’s high speed trains are the best in the world.Decent food and drinks in first class make for a wonderful experience.

The securtiy check started in Spain in 1992 when AVE Madrid- Sevilla was opened, and introducing in the Iberian gauge lines in 1997 when Euromed services ( Barcleona- Valencia- Alicante- with 101 series- was opened. Superalbs travels, the base to change the gauge is 110km far away from Benicarló-Peñiscola and the main stations between Castelló and Tarragona, like Orpesa, are served by intercity train too.

No mention of Amtrak Cascades at 4:40 where Talgos also operate??

U should try out avanti’s new 805s next

Good video! I'm just curious about how many foreign languages do you speak?

@12:00 omg that single tv looks like those screens you used to get on long haul flights about 30 years ago!

I wish they connected Portugal with Talgo 🥺

Did you notice any change in stability switching to standard gauge track?

4th Dec 2022 on advert??

Very interesting. I've only travelled once on Renfe- in 1972 from Puerto Santa Maria to Cadiz on a 4-wheeled railbus (El Pacer?). These Talgo trains would appear to have a similar ride quality, so not impressed with that. Another minus point would be the long check-in process. Plus points would be the seating room, overall cleanliness and fully working toilet facilities. Despite being older stock, it puts to shame some of the brand new stock in UK.

When did you film this

As a Dane we have ordinary trains with a square rubber front, intended to be added to each other in groups of three, named IC3! And still being able to walk through all of the train inside (I have lately seen "IC12" versions), and also to be separated, while functioning on the rails, to different destinations! The front going to one destination, while the back leaves for another! I think they actually functions fine also aerodynamically, with pushing a "pillow of air" in front! And don't mention "Italian Trains" to a Dane!! Train sets named IC4, made by Ansaldo-Breda, became a functional Nightmare never to really operate with any decent kind of a proper function!!!

the main hall of the station looks like an expo hall/convention center with airport security hub slapped on the end😂 (not saying it looks bad just don't look like alot of train stations very unique look apart from the normal looking platforms)

You should try the new Avril. Just started in late May 2024 to galcia replacing the Alvia and is a gauge switcher. Its really interesting because it is wider than most trains so it runs a 2-2 in first/business and 2-3 in standard like in Japan. Train isn't quite as wide as the shinkansen though, so its not as idea. I agree, though Spain has brought the annoyances of flying to trains with security and ticket checks.

gauge-changing ; i believe is the correct term. :)

It’s absolutely incredible how much nicer the Spanish railways and stations are now as compared to before 1990. Even with the Kabuki Theater (security).

Do you plan on trying out Avanti’s new Class 805’s?

I would be very interested in the difference of ride quality on the different gauges. Guess due to the bad wheel design and maybe the need to be able to shift tracks, they couldn't make full use of it - but in general, I'd expect the ride to be quieter, more stable and with less rolling, the wider the gauge. Well, if the tracks are built to the same high standards, that is... a modern high quality high-speed standard gauge ride is certainly preferrable to a rough, old wide-gauge. But as for the gauge itself, more should always be better, istn't it? At least the comparison between 1m track and standard gauge is always like day and night, with narrow-track trains just keep rolling and feeling like they are going too fast for comfort even when hurling along at no more than Metro speeds... Would be great to have a direct comparison with good trains and tracks, the only difference being the gauges, but I guess that's not easy to find in the world. Oh, and exactly how they do the gauge shift would also be amazingly interesting!

Is it called the balearic coast in the UK?

I have to say the front of the Talgo does rather remind me of Donald Duck's beak!

Renfe and Talgo have to change the wheels technology, it's not the first time I see someone complaining of noise and rough ride on Talgo trains.

What app did he use to measure the speed of the train?

benicarló mentioned!!

I love your videos! Great! I am from Austria but I actually want to take a train from Zürich to to Palermo! My route from Zürich to Milane! There stayover! Next to napels stayover again and then further to Sicily to Palermo! ( how does one get from Italy by train to Sicily ????!!) Have U ever made video for this journey to Palermo! Thanks a lot! Looking forward to hearing from you!! Regards Wilfried Bless you

Him: And if you're not a huge fan of the shops on offer... The camera: shows the ceiling

The toilet flush could be better. That is all I am willing to see. 😮

Talgo recently hasnt been getting a good reputation for ride quality, other riders have been complaining about the bumps and rattles on the new Avril sets now running between Madrid and the North. One video looked more like plane turbulence! Hopefully the fixed standard gauge Avril variants ride better.

How do you book your international train travel?

I always enjoy your videos! (Watching with envy from the USA)

I like those talgo train sets. And i was exitied when i heared that DB would get talgo Trains... But sadly not

Speaking of gauge-changing trains, it's too bad that JR Kyushu abandoned this concept for Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki...then we would already have a transfer-free service from Osaka, rather than waiting for Saga Prefecture to agree paying for the construction of the remaining section.

Boa viagem ai trem lindo trem renfe 1:52

The best hight speed train in spain is not iryo, I recommend travel on the s103 RENFE AVE, is a velaro family train, very similar to the ICE 3

I was wondering what was the Balearic Sea? Maybe he was speaking about the Mediterranean...

I was hoping you will play something on the piano

2:18 moaning about the security checks makes you look a bit daft. Maybe google why........pity they didnt have these checks 25 years ago

10:20 Bro, just go to Romania one more time to compare that 😅 !

1:45 I'm sure the joke was hilarious - but I'm afraid I did not get it. Can anyone help me please, what was it about?

I rode the Euromed from Valencia to Alicante nearly 20 years ago when they had dedicated Euromed trains. Gauge changing trains in Spain are hardly new. Surprised you're not reviewing the new Talgo Avril gauge changing high speed train.. The ride quality hasn't improved from the reviews I've seen & the seat configuration is 2+3 in standard class..

Spanish high speed trains have had security since the beginning of services in 1992. Nothing to do with the 2004 bombings, which was on suburban trains

Oh, you need to try the new Ave High speed sets, the series 106 also from talgo, you'll be in for a big surprise in what's technically the mos "advanced" train set in europe

These Talgo coaches were actually trialled by Indian Railways before they decided to built their own Vande Bharat sets

Can you post the date of the journey?

Well - they do search your stuff better than the TSA does. They don't grope your "package".

Interesting the Valencian name is identical to the Arabic

How would you call "Voluminous Luggage" instead? Personally I find this name to be spot on.

It's not track changing, but gauge changing as you've said yourself (from broad gauge to normal gauge). Track change happens when train go through switch to be on the other track.

16:57 if this was in Japan the driver would almost need to commit sappuku

If you can please ride on the Afrosiyob Talgo train in Uzbekistan

week 1 of asking for the Interpici

Before complaining about Spanish Railway Stations, you maybe need to do some Research as to why there is Airport Style Security at Stations with Long Distance Trains in Spain. 20 Years ago 10 Terrorist Bombs exploded on 4 Trains in Spain killing 191 People and leaving over 1800 Injured. Up to this point Security in Spain, even at Airports, was quite lax, since this incident they have tightened Security a lot and this at Railway Stations is a minor inconvenience to try and make sure people are safe.

That giant fan might be made by Big Ass Fans. Yes that's a real company.

Superalbs Travels, can make the Eurostar Train Video including "I rode the one of the Old Eurostar Trains, the TGV TMST (Class 373 "Eurostar" as the Eurostar E300) that goes from London to Paris and Brussels but not Amsterdam or Koln!" so can you do it Please, Please and PLEASE?????

You ride enough trains to have really strong opinions about service and ride quality but sometimes they drag down my enjoyment of your videos.

Will be very exciting if the new ICE-L as such a poor ride quality as well. If this is the case, I believe a lot of passengers will be quite unsatisfied as Germany has never ever seen TALGO trains with their ride quality before...

5 hour travel time seems kinda long for 500 kilometer journey on high speed train

I've actually found a video by talgo which explains a bit how this track changing mechanism works: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p91-n5CYxJ-Vd3k.html

Who else saw the Tim's at 1:27?

Barcelona-Sants is an interesting train station, I was there last week. It closes at 00:30, and opens at 04:15, but recently a lot more homeless people started congregating outside of the train station, mixing between the tourists. The ticketing office for reservations opens up at 05:30 if memory serves me right, and you're required to get a reservation if you're going on a high-speed train or a long distance train. I sat there, waiting for the ticket office to open up, and next to me sat a woman. I asked her if she speaks English, to which she responded positively (in English). I told her "I always tell to my Spanish friends 'mucho', it means a lot to them.", to which she cracked up to. I also angered one of the homeless people outside, about half an hour before the train station opened, and he tried to fight me. Barcelona sure was an interesting stop for me on the way to Valencia, and I can highly recommend visiting Valencia.

It does not make much sense for Spain to maintain 2 railway gauge systems. It is better to align to standard gauge sooner rather than later.