My Spain http://myspain.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 3rd Spanish Vintage Glider rally at Santo Tome del Puerto http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1741080.html Instead of the usual long weekend this years event lasted a whole week and we welcomed a squad of Dutch visitors with 4 gliders from Amsterdam. The weather was good with soaring every day and in addition the the vintage gliders there were vintage aircraft and vehicles present. A morning visit was made to the old airfield at Somosierra which was closed back in the 1980s. Monday 13 July 2009: Instead of the usual long weekend this years event lasted a whole week and we welcomed a squad of Dutch visitors with 4 gliders from Amsterdam. The weather was good with soaring every day and in addition the the vintage gliders there were vintage aircraft and vehicles present. A morning visit was made to the old airfield at Somosierra which was closed back in the 1980s.

On the 11th April it was difficult to imagine that this would soon be the camp site for the rally. 3 months later the weather is a lot better

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]]> Mon Jul 13 2009 Class 58s heading for Valencia http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1622488.html The Madrid-Valencia high speed line is finally becoming a reality with ex-UK class 58s operating Construction trains out of the Requena base towards Valencia. As of today track-laying has reached the Siete Aguas area, some 25 kms from the base and less than 50 kms from Valencia and it is all downhill now, from 2,400' to near sea level. Tuesday 9 December 2008: The Madrid-Valencia high speed line is finally becoming a reality with ex-UK class 58s operating Construction trains out of the Requena base towards Valencia. As of today track-laying has reached the Siete Aguas area, some 25 kms from the base and less than 50 kms from Valencia and it is all downhill now, from 2,400' to near sea level.

Broad gauge DMU leaving Rebollar with a train for Requena on the old Valencia-Madrid line The track machine is standing on one of the new lines and the line into the construction base is on the left. The broad gauge line is just visible in the foreground

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]]> Tue Dec 9 2008 Main line steam in Spain 2008 http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1543037.html Steam returned to the Spanish main line in May 2008 when RENFE announced that the annual spring excursion "Tren de la Fresa" (Strawberry train) would revert to steam haulage following a year of diesel/electric haulage after withdrawal of its steam locomotive. RENFE announced that they had come to an arrangement with the owners of Garratt 282F0421 to haul the "Tren de la Fresa" every Saturday and Sunday from mid-May to mid-July. The train departs from Madrid Atocha at 10:05, arriving at Aranjuez at 11:05,. The return leaves Aranjuez at 18:00, arriving in Madrid at 19:00. Cost for a return trip is just €25, including strawberries, and coaches are laid on to take visitors to places such as the Royal Gardens. I photographed the train on the outward trip on 21st June just south of Ciempozuelos, then the locomotive undergoing servicing at Aranjuez and finally the evening departure from Aranjuez. The temperature that day was in the high nineties (fahrenheit) so th smoke effects were almost non-existant in the morning. Saturday 21 June 2008: Steam returned to the Spanish main line in May 2008 when RENFE announced that the annual spring excursion "Tren de la Fresa" (Strawberry train) would revert to steam haulage following a year of diesel/electric haulage after withdrawal of its steam locomotive. RENFE announced that they had come to an arrangement with the owners of Garratt 282F0421 to haul the "Tren de la Fresa" every Saturday and Sunday from mid-May to mid-July. The train departs from Madrid Atocha at 10:05, arriving at Aranjuez at 11:05,. The return leaves Aranjuez at 18:00, arriving in Madrid at 19:00. Cost for a return trip is just _25, including strawberries, and coaches are laid on to take visitors to places such as the Royal Gardens. I photographed the train on the outward trip on 21st June just south of Ciempozuelos, then the locomotive undergoing servicing at Aranjuez and finally the evening departure from Aranjuez. The temperature that day was in the high nineties (fahrenheit) so th smoke effects were almost non-existant in the morning.

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]]> Sat Jun 21 2008 Chinchilla junction http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1359525.html I went to Chinchilla on the offchance of photographing a class 354 Talgo diesel if any were still running and to photograph the replacement class 334, as well as the new 333.4s which were reported working all freight services on the line to Murcia. In addition, it would also be possible to photograph trains on the Alacant and Valencia lines. Much of the line between Albacete and Almansa has been realigned and this includes the stretch south of Chinchilla, where a new station and junction have been built. On the plus side I saw not one but two class 354 diesels operating in addition to two class 334s. On the minus side there was no freight traffic on the Murcia line at all and only two were seen on the main line, although one was effectively a quadruple-header, having a twin-unit and twi single-unit class 269s. Tuesday 28 August 2007: I went to Chinchilla on the offchance of photographing a class 354 Talgo diesel if any were still running and to photograph the replacement class 334, as well as the new 333.4s which were reported working all freight services on the line to Murcia. In addition, it would also be possible to photograph trains on the Alacant and Valencia lines. Much of the line between Albacete and Almansa has been realigned and this includes the stretch south of Chinchilla, where a new station and junction have been built. On the plus side I saw not one but two class 354 diesels operating in addition to two class 334s. On the minus side there was no freight traffic on the Murcia line at all and only two were seen on the main line, although one was effectively a quadruple-header, having a twin-unit and twi single-unit class 269s.

The two up Talgo's from Murcia were headed by new class 334 locomotives. This class 440 EMU is heading for Alacant. I hadn't been there long when the first class 354 arrived and slowed down to take the Murcia line. The name is Having left the main line the Talgo diesel is opened up in a cloud of smoky exhaust! The first of only two freights seen on this day. Confusingly, two locos appear to be carrying the same number but this is actually a twin unit. Apologies for letting the fence get in the way - I was driving along the track south of the junction when I saw this train appear so stopped the car, jumped out and took these photos. Not a good spot as the new fence is too high. Class 269.4 were seen working from Alacant to Madrid The Barcelona - Malaga For those who are interested that is my car in the foreground. The second down Talgo to Murcia also had a class 354 in charge. This one is named The Talgo trains to/from Alacant were hauled by class 252 or 269 electrics. One of the few named trains, the

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]]> Tue Aug 28 2007 More Birds of Valencia http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1348111.html Mostly taken in and around my village, with a few at the coast near Sagunto. Wednesday 15 August 2007: Mostly taken in and around my village, with a few at the coast near Sagunto.

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]]> Wed Aug 15 2007 'Preserved' steam in Spain http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1303341.html Sadly, few of the steam locomotives preserved in Spain are in running order and many are not even looked after very well, being subjected to vandalism. These pictures show the state of some of those in the Valencia province. Saturday 2 June 2007: Sadly, few of the steam locomotives preserved in Spain are in running order and many are not even looked after very well, being subjected to vandalism. These pictures show the state of some of those in the Valencia province.

102 is in a childrens playground in a city park in Valencia. Although it obviously receives fresh paint occasionally it has suffered graffiti attacks and the bottom of the boiler is rusting away. I'm pointing out the cast plate on No 102 in a Valencia park. OK, its not steam but it is close to 209 at Sagunto port and looks worthy of preservation. 209 is in an Industrial park adjacent to Sagunto port and looks as though it has simply left where it last worked when thwe premises ceased work. This Mikado is at least safe from vandals for the moment, being within the grounds of the Vossloh factory at Albuixech.

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]]> Sat Jun 2 2007 FGV upgrade http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1287825.html The FGV is upgrading much of its network at present. The Line 5 extension to the airport has just opened and the new tram type trains are being delivered, some of which will be used on Line 1 which is having track renewal work between Lliria and L'Eliana. The PW train and equipment are stabled at Benaguasil Nord when not in use and are seen there with Comsa locomotive 27, new tram/train set number 6 (4306) and the earlier class 37 numbers 3706 & 3708. Saturday 26 May 2007: The FGV is upgrading much of its network at present. The Line 5 extension to the airport has just opened and the new tram type trains are being delivered, some of which will be used on Line 1 which is having track renewal work between Lliria and L'Eliana. The PW train and equipment are stabled at Benaguasil Nord when not in use and are seen there with Comsa locomotive 27, new tram/train set number 6 (4306) and the earlier class 37 numbers 3706 & 3708.

New tram/train 4306 departs from Benaguasil Nord. Another view of 4306 as it heads for Valencia. Ballast train and PW machines at Benaguasil. Comsa 27 at Benaguasil is a Gmeinder V-52 num 51 loc 2759. Track machines at benaguasil. Comsa 27 with a ballast train at benaguasil. Comsa 27 with a ballast train at benaguasil. Comsa 27 with a ballast train at benaguasil. Comsa 27 is passed by 3708 en route to Lliria. 3706 passes stabled track machines at Benaguasil Nord. Comsa 27 with a ballast train at benaguasil. Comsa 27 with a ballast train at benaguasil.

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]]> Sat May 26 2007 Tren de la Fresa 1 http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1270679.html Visited Aranjuez on a Saturday evening to see the "Tren de la Fresa" which is scheduled to be steam-hauled whenever possible at weekends. On arrival at the station the train was seen to be in the platform with a preserved electric locomotive 289-015-0, also carrying its old number 8915 and with the RENFE insignia on a cast plate. At the rear of the train was preserved diesel 321-080-4, also carrying its former number 2180. The train left approximately on time just as a Thunderstorm erupted over the town. I have also included pictures of the old signal box and the water crane for filling the steam locomotive when it is operating. Saturday 28 April 2007: Visited Aranjuez on a Saturday evening to see the "Tren de la Fresa" which is scheduled to be steam-hauled whenever possible at weekends. On arrival at the station the train was seen to be in the platform with a preserved electric locomotive 289-015-0, also carrying its old number 8915 and with the RENFE insignia on a cast plate. At the rear of the train was preserved diesel 321-080-4, also carrying its former number 2180. The train left approximately on time just as a Thunderstorm erupted over the town. I have also included pictures of the old signal box and the water crane for filling the steam locomotive when it is operating.

The old signal box. Heading for Madrid behind 289 015-0 321 080-4 is attached to the rear of the train Aranjuez station - the platform numbering from left to right in this picture is 5, 3, 1, 2, 4, The water column

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]]> Sat Apr 28 2007 Valencia Fallas 2007 http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1249828.html We attended the last 2 days and nights of the Valencia Fallas Festival, courtesy of our neighbours who invited us to stay in their "second home", an apartment in the Valencia district of Nou Campanar, not far from the city centre and close to the old Turia river bed which has now been dry for about 50 years following changes made after the great flood of the 1950's. Firework displays went on around the clock, with each district having its own display every day. These have to be seen AND HEARD, the noise at the end rising to a deafening crescendo as all the largest fireworks are set off almost simultaneously. There will then be huge cheers followed by a brief silence before the next district starts up. On the final night all the statues, both large and small, are set alight by exploding fireworks. Prior to this processions have been taking place around the city with the participants delivering flowers to a central point where they are carefully placed on a huge framework several stories high to make a colourful monument. Sunday 18 March 2007: We attended the last 2 days and nights of the Valencia Fallas Festival, courtesy of our neighbours who invited us to stay in their "second home", an apartment in the Valencia district of Nou Campanar, not far from the city centre and close to the old Turia river bed which has now been dry for about 50 years following changes made after the great flood of the 1950's. Firework displays went on around the clock, with each district having its own display every day. These have to be seen AND HEARD, the noise at the end rising to a deafening crescendo as all the largest fireworks are set off almost simultaneously. There will then be huge cheers followed by a brief silence before the next district starts up. On the final night all the statues, both large and small, are set alight by exploding fireworks. Prior to this processions have been taking place around the city with the participants delivering flowers to a central point where they are carefully placed on a huge framework several stories high to make a colourful monument.

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]]> Sun Mar 18 2007 FGV - the Valencia Metro http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1233212.html Formed partly out of the old Valencian metre-gauge network with some new additions in the city, these pictures were taken from early 2007 at Lliria, the north-western terminus of Line 1. New trains are on order from Vossloh and the old class 36xx are being rebuilt. Thursday 1 March 2007: Formed partly out of the old Valencian metre-gauge network with some new additions in the city, these pictures were taken from early 2007 at Lliria, the north-western terminus of Line 1. New trains are on order from Vossloh and the old class 36xx are being rebuilt.

Rebuilt 6602 & 3602 at Lliria A rebuilt class 36xx No 3602/6602. New style 3740 leads old style 3717 Early style 3717 and later style 3740 3717 & 3740 departing from Lliria 3717 & 3740 depart from Lliria FGV 3610 at Lliria on 9th September 2007 Unrebuilt 6610 & 3610 Early style 37o7 & 3706 Two of the early style 37xx. Early style 3716 and 3721

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]]> Thu Mar 1 2007 RENFE 2007 http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1232027.html Trains photographed mainly between Valencia & Sagunto Saturday 3 March 2007: Trains photographed mainly between Valencia & Sagunto

251-022-0 heads out of Sagunto towards Valencia on 3 March 2007. A closer view of 251-022-0 269-217-6 with a Ford Intermodal Channel Tunnel Express train heads out of Sagunto towards Valencia on 3 March 2007. Euromed high speed train near Sagunto, heading for Valencia, on 10 March 2007. Alaris class 101 EMU near Sagunto on 31 March 2007. 319-407-3 heads light towards Sagunto on 10 March 2007. 252-057-5 heads for Valencia with a Talgo train from Barcelona on 10 March 2007. 251-009-7 heads south from Sagunto with a freight on 10 March 2007. 269-064-2 heads light engine towards Valencia on 10 March 2007. 250-015-5 with a Ford Intermodal Channel Tunnel Express train heads out of Sagunto towards Valencia on 10 March 2007. 269-239-0 heads a freight out of sagunto towards Valencia on 10 March 2007. DMU at Valencia Norte on 23 March 2007. 252-046-8 at Valencia Norte station on 23 March 2007 with a Talgo train for Barcelona. EMU near Sagunto, 25 March 2007. EMU near Sagunto, 25 March 2007. 251-020-4 heads south from Sagunto with a freight on 25 March 2007. 251-020-4 heads south from Sagunto with a freight on 25 March 2007. 251-020-4 heads south from Sagunto with a freight on 25 March 2007. Class 447 EMU near Sagunto on 25 March 2007. Class 447 EMU near Sagunto on 25 March 2007. Class 447 EMU near Sagunto on 25 March 2007. Class 447 EMU near Sagunto on 25 March 2007. Class 447 EMU near Sagunto on 25 March 2007. EMU near Sagunto, 25 March 2007. EMU near Sagunto, 25 March 2007. An unidentified 252 with a southbound passenger train near Sagunto on 25 March 2007. 252-049-2 heads north near Sagunto with a Valencia to Barcelona Talgo train on 25 March 2007. A close view of 252-049-3 on 25 March 2007. 252-049-2 heads north near Sagunto with a Valencia to Barcelona Talgo train on 25 March 2007. 252-057-5 heads south from Sagunto with a passenger train for Valencia on 31 March 2007. 252-044-3 approaches Sagunto with a Valencia - Barcelona Talgo train on 31 March 2007. 252-044-3 approaches Sagunto with a Valencia - Barcelona Talgo train on 31 March 2007. Alaris class 101 EMU near Sagunto on 31 March 2007. 252-049-2 heads south near Sagunto with a Barcelona to Valencia Talgo train on 31 March 2007. 269-019-6 heads a southbound freight out of Sagunto on 31 March 2007. Class 447 EMU near Sagunto on 31 March 2007. Class 59x DMU near Sagunto on 31 March 2007. 319-407-3 with a northbound freight approaching Sagunto on 31 March 2007. 319-407-3 with a northbound freight approaching Sagunto on 31 March 2007.

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]]> Sat Mar 3 2007 Vossloh factory, Albuixech, Valencia. http://myspain.fotopic.net/c1224776.html Visited on a Sunday lunchtime and obtained permission to take photographs from the perimeter fence. On display by the car park are Mikado 141F-2326, Electric 276 105-4 (ex 8605) and Diesel 314 001-9 (ex 1401). Also present were several new trams for the FGV line 1, virtually complete class 333 366-5 and a 334, and numerous bodyshells for classes 333 & 334. During the next few weeks several more visits were made and 3 more SNCF locos could be seen inside one building while 333-360-6 was outside and one bodyshell was identified on a piece of paper as 333 No. 32. Sunday 4 March 2007: Visited on a Sunday lunchtime and obtained permission to take photographs from the perimeter fence. On display by the car park are Mikado 141F-2326, Electric 276 105-4 (ex 8605) and Diesel 314 001-9 (ex 1401). Also present were several new trams for the FGV line 1, virtually complete class 333 366-5 and a 334, and numerous bodyshells for classes 333 & 334. During the next few weeks several more visits were made and 3 more SNCF locos could be seen inside one building while 333-360-6 was outside and one bodyshell was identified on a piece of paper as 333 No. 32.

Preserved at Albuixech. Preserved at Albuixech. Preserved at Albuixech.

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]]> Sun Mar 4 2007