EC approves new Mediterranean Railway Corridor: Algeciras-Bobadilla line to be upgraded

An approximation, no details

SPAIN (Agencies) The Campo de Gibraltar came alight yesterday when the European Commission announced its decision on the future design of what is being called the Railway Corridor (though it involves more than just railways). The new design, which will probably end up being called the Mediterranean Corridor by the media, is scheduled to link Algeciras with the East coast of Spain and on to the rest of Europe, for which plans are also in the making. According to one Costa del Sol paper, the redesign does nothing for them as it bypasses the coast, which has disappointed the mayors there, who had hoped to use European finance to link up their towns, particularly Marbella and Estepona by rail. But the plan approved yesterday by the EC starts in>>>

Last of the train trips to celebrate the arrival of the railway 120 years ago

JIMENA Estación de Jimena is now known as Los Ángeles (with an accent to avoid confusion with California) but that has not stopped the semi-attached village from celebrating the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the railway with related activities over the last few months, including train rides to Ronda for local schools. The last of these took place yesterday for the kids from the Reina de los Ángeles primary school, which they evidently enjoyed. This, of course, is the very best time of year for the (inexpensive) trip, but hurry before the absolutely awesome spring flowers turn brown in just a few days!

Our railway station is 120 years old

The railway station at Jimena is 120 years old this year. As we announced here, celebrations for this significant event in the history of Jimena are taking place this Satruday. The Algeciras-Ronda railway was built by British engineers as an R&R facility for troops stationed in Gibraltar. It is still one of the most attractive train rides in Spain, especially in the Spring when the wild flowers are out. Several of the stations on the line have been transformed into restaurants, which make the ride a great day out. You can see a history of one of the hotels built for the purpose in the 3rd edition of our DominGo magazine (which may be revived next year if there's financing).

Estación celebrates 120 years of the railway station

Estación de Jimena, now poignantly if slowly changing its name to Los Ángeles, is about to celebrate the arrival of the railway to this distant corner of the Campo de Gibraltar. Celebrations for its 120th anniversary are to take place on November 20 next although the station itself was actually inaugurated on October 6, 1890. The central event of the celebrations is scheduled to be held at the Reina Sofía Cultural Centre at 5pm with talks by historian Juan Carlos Pardo, José Manuel Sampedro representing the Friends of the Algeciras Railway association, and local researcher Juan María Moreno Vega, whom we happened to run into yesterday doing some research on the subject, particularly as it affected the life of Jimena as a whole (we pointed him to an item we ran last February). We will be publishing our own little item about the Algeciras-Ronda railway that was built by the British - watch this space!

24-hour train strike today

We might not have noticed it at the local level, as the Algceiras-Ronda line is not due to re-open until April 23, but there is a national train strike on right now.  (Yes, in Spain, not only in the UK.) The union puts the compliance figure at between 75 and 80%, while ADIF, the rail managing company, and RENFE, the national railway operator, says it's at 3.5%. The unions complain that the companies 'have not respected the beginning of the strike' because they allowed 'forbidden traffic' of cargo trains. The companies say that the union calling the walkout, CGT (Confederación General de Trabajadores), is in the minority as it only has one representative on the negotiation board. Other unions, such as UGT  (union General de Trabajadores) and CC.OO. (Comisiones Obreras) have not come out on strike. For further information on train schedules: www.renfe.com or on the phone at 902 320 32.

Algeciras - Ronda railway line to re-open on April 23

According to ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias), the railway line administrator agency, the connection between Algeciras and Ronda is to be re-opened to traffic on April 23. They report that  over 85% of the work is completed and the remaining 15% or so can be carried out without closing the line to passenger or cargo trains. Modernization included work on the infrastructure and superstructure of the line 'in preparation for electrifying' it at a later date. Forteen tunnels had to be reinforced  (photo: EuropaSur)and all the wooden sleepers have been replaced. The line has been closed since October 26 last year and some delays occurred due to inclement weather.