Renfe’s new rolling stock for Madrid Cercanías line C-9 has cleared its type authorisation hurdle. The AESF (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Ferroviaria — Spain’s State Railway Safety Agency) granted approval on Wednesday 27 May to the new class 402 units, though with a number of temporary restrictions attached.
This marks a significant milestone in the introduction of the first new rolling stock procured by Renfe as part of its Cercanías fleet renewal programme.
However, a critical obstacle remains before commercial service can begin: the infrastructure over which the trains are to operate.
The Cercedilla–Cotos line remains closed whilst infrastructure manager Adif completes its renewal works. The latest target date for reopening of the Ferrocarril Eléctrico del Guadarrama was 30 June, a deadline that appears impossible to meet given the current state of works. Trenvista has sought clarification from Adif on its revised timetable; however, recent contract awards suggest a further delay of approximately one year.
Temporary restrictions due to missing infrastructure
The restrictions imposed by the AESF relate directly to the inability to conduct full on-line testing owing to the closure of the Cercedilla–Cotos line. The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) specifies the following conditions:
- Pursuant to Article 46.6 of Regulation (EU) No 2018/545, and given that full verification of the train-to-ground equipment could not be completed, these systems may only be operated in Mode C until the required evidence is submitted to and accepted by the AESF, which will then lift this non-coded condition/restriction of use.
- Pursuant to Article 46.6 of Regulation (EU) No 2018/545, and given that bogie strain-gauge testing on a representative track could not be carried out due to the unavailability of the required infrastructure (Cercedilla–Los Cotos line), commercial services are not permitted until the required evidence is submitted to and accepted by the AESF. Within 24 months of the issue of the vehicle type authorisation, bogie strain-gauge track tests must be conducted and updated certificates, together with all affected documentation, submitted to the AESF for evaluation and lifting of this non-coded restriction.
- Pursuant to Article 46.6 of Regulation (EU) No 2018/545, and given that dynamic testing of the ASFA Digital equipment could not be carried out due to the unavailability of the required infrastructure (Cercedilla–Los Cotos line), commercial services under this train protection system are not permitted until the required evidence is submitted to and accepted by the AESF. Within 24 months of the issue of the vehicle type authorisation, dynamic tests of the ASFA Digital equipment must be conducted and updated certificates, together with all affected documentation, submitted to the AESF for evaluation and lifting of this non-coded restriction.
Permanent restrictions on the class 402 units
The following permanent restrictions also apply to this fleet:
- At reduced speed on secondary tracks, depots, and maintenance facilities, the following coded restriction applies: minimum curve radius of 45 m at reduced speed on secondary tracks, depots, and workshops.
- Operation of these vehicles is restricted to line 01-116 Cercedilla–Los Cotos.
- Units, whether operating in single or multiple traction of up to three sets, are compatible with the following track circuits: Digicode // FS2000/2500/2550/5000 // FS3000 // FTGS 46 // FTGS 917 // ME 3015 // ME 3047 // ME 3091/3191.
- The units are not fitted with a Driver Advisory System (STAC RAIL).
- The following must be observed when extracting ASFA logs: record the ECP serial number.
- ASFA driving modes CONV and AV are unavailable. Operation is only permitted on lines whose balise placement criteria are compatible with the driving modes available in the on-board ASFA Digital system.
- The data held in the DIV database for each train type must be coherent and consistent with the train and its characteristics; data integrity is the responsibility of the vehicle owner.
- The railway undertaking and/or vehicle operator must take into account the operational hazards set out in the Hazard Log, ref. C.N6.96.903.00 Ed. G, dated 23 March 2026, and in the document ‘SRRs Trazabilidad Manual de Operación’, ref. C.N6.96.903.98, dated 31 October 2024.
- The Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) assigned to the vehicle must take into account the maintenance-related hazards set out in the document ‘Trazabilidad SRACs – Documentación de Mantenimiento’, ref. C.N6.96.903.99 Ed. C, dated 21 November 2024.
Once Adif makes the infrastructure available to operators, Renfe will be able to complete the outstanding tests, lift the temporary restrictions, and begin driver qualification training.
Six alpine units to replace the class 442
The class 402 fleet comprises six two-car metre-gauge units designed for mountain railway operations — hence their designation as alpine units, a term denoting association with the Alps or other high mountain ranges.
The trains incorporate the latest technological innovations and are fully accessible. The contract was awarded to CAF in 2020 alongside 31 further metre-gauge units destined for the former FEVE network.
Their contemporary exterior and interior design stands in marked contrast to the veteran class 442 units they will replace. A section of the railway enthusiast community has raised concerns that the line will lose one of its defining characteristics, and no confirmation has yet been given regarding the preservation in working order of any class 442 unit.