The new suburban trains built by Stadler have reached a significant milestone in their entry-into-service programme.
Following authorisation secured on 7 May, as recorded by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), driver training has now commenced to certify crews on the new fleet. This is an essential step to ensure operational competence and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Over the coming months, the first Class 453 units are expected to begin running on the Cercanías Madrid network, particularly on Line C-3, where they are scheduled to enter passenger service. During the transfer of the first unit to Madrid, it operated along the line making all intermediate stops. On the C-3 corridor, the new units will replace Class 465 Civia EMUs, which in turn will displace the ageing Class 446 units, now set for final withdrawal.
In the absence of any OSP depot equipped to handle 200 m formations, the first unit has been stabled on the mixed-gauge track at Fuencarral high-speed depot. This is the same facility currently accommodating maintenance of the Class 450 fleet following the collapse of the roof over the EMU workshop building.
Once completed, maintenance of the new fleet will be transferred to the purpose-built depot at Aranjuez, where construction is already at an advanced stage.
Entry into passenger service for the Class 453 fleet is planned for late summer, subject to completion of driver certification.