The first high-capacity train ordered by Renfe entered service on the Madrid Cercanías network yesterday morning. It began operating at the start of the day on line C-7. This is the first new Cercanías series to enter service since 2003.
Two units marked the start of commercial operations. Unit 453-003, a four-car train, operated between Príncipe Pío and Nuevos Ministerios, while unit 453-603, an eight-car train, ran between Atocha and Alcalá de Henares. The Nuevos Ministerios–Atocha section is currently closed for engineering works.
Although 200-metre trains already operate on the network, these are formed by two coupled Civia 465 units. The 453-603 was the first single-set, 200-metre Renfe Cercanías train to enter passenger service.
With eight cars—half of them double-deck—the 453-600 offers capacity for 1,884 passengers, compared with the 1,496 passengers accommodated by a pair of 465 units.
Further units are already running on the Madrid Cercanías network, but they are being used for driver route and traction training; the process began in May. As Stadler delivers additional trains and the number of qualified drivers increases, the units will be introduced into service progressively.
The contract was awarded by Renfe in March 2021. The original order comprised 24 T100 trains and 35 T200 trains, although the order was increased to 59 T200 trains in November 2022.