The Ouigo train that broke down and has been stationary at Córdoba station for over a week is now being hauled to the Santa Catalina maintenance depots in Madrid for repair.
As a result of this fault affecting one of the power cars’ final drive, the Spanish arm of SNCF cancelled services between 9 and 22 January on the Madrid-Andalucía route, impacting 15,000 passengers who were not offered alternative travel options. Ouigo attributes the cancellations to a maintenance scheduling adjustment.
Ouigo is handling the transfer with Renfe’s assistance; the public operator’s Manufacturing and Maintenance division has leased Vevey bogies to enable the move, with the affected power head’s wheels immobilised.
Due to the need for low-speed running, the transfer occurs overnight without disrupting passenger traffic and will take several days, starting the night of Wednesday 14 to Thursday 15 January and expected to finish the night of Sunday 18 to Monday 19.
The train’s propulsion is provided by the unaffected power head operating independently, though Ouigo sources told Trenvista that auxiliary locos are used at certain points.
To aid affected passengers, Renfe has added a daily extra Avlo Madrid-Sevilla and doubled up an Avlo Madrid-Málaga service.