This morning, a reduced composition of the Al Andalus luxury train arrived at the Portuguese station of Torre das Vargens from Badajoz for certification tests.
Composed of a caboose at each end and six intermediate cars, the train crossed into Portuguese territory, towed by locomotive Alco 1554. For at least a couple of days, it will carry out electromagnetic compatibility tests on several Portuguese lines to obtain certification to run on their tracks.
This is the first time the luxury train has crossed the border between Spain and Portugal, although there is evidence that one of its generator vans served on the Estrella Lusitania.
Although Renfe has programmed itineraries for this train in the Portuguese country in recent years, there was never enough demand for it to run. As we report in Trainvelling, only the Andalusian route will be offered during the 2025 campaign.
But the homologation of the cars on Portuguese Infraestruturas tracks confirms Renfe’s interest in making international luxury trains.