Renfe stated via its X account that it has not received the first two high-capacity Class 452 EMUs being built by Alstom. To date, the manufacturer has not handed over any units to the operator. Although it might appear that a June delivery commitment was missed, Alstom maintains that no firm delivery date was contractually agreed.
The controversy arose on 6 July when Invertia reported that Alstom had completed the first two trainsets in June. This claim requires careful interpretation. Even if factory work has been concluded, a train cannot be considered complete—let alone delivered—until all certification steps are finalised. Invertia referred to completion of works rather than delivery, though it implied compliance with deadlines.
Class 452 still uncertified
A prerequisite for considering the units complete is the granting of authorisation by Spain’s State Agency for Railway Safety (AESF), which has not yet occurred. Without this, Renfe cannot formally accept the trains, and the authority may still require modifications to the rolling stock.
Lead times for the Authorisation for Entry into Service can be extended. A similar situation occurs with infrastructure, which may remain physically complete for months before commercial operation is permitted. Alstom likely anticipated certification in June, an assumption that has proven optimistic.
Once authorisation is secured, the first two units can be delivered to Renfe. The operator will then commence driver training and route proving. This mirrors the process currently underway with Stadler’s Class 453 units in Madrid Cercanías network. The Swiss manufacturer has maintained a lead over Alstom on this contract.
Road transfer from Santa Perpètua
Engineering works on Line 222 between Bifurcació Aigües and Latour-de-Carol, notably the doubling works towards Vic, have severed the rail connection to Alstom’s Santa Perpètua plant from the national network. As a result, completed units are being moved by road for testing and dispatch.
Delays affecting the Class 452 programme are impacting Alstom’s reputation, amid broader schedule slippage across several of its rolling stock projects.