Route ( Renfe - Feve ) Asturian Metric Network: Oviedo, Gijón And Beyond / New Country: Spain

Good afternoon everyone! Today I'm going out my usual scope, wanting to propose you a Spanish network route! It would be a good portion of the metric network between Oviedo and Gijón. It would be set in 2019. We're in northern Spain, within the Principality of Asturias. Between Cantabria, Castilla & León and Galicia. The tracks extend between the Cantabrian Mountains valleys and the coastal areas overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Connecting the two local cities through a complex, mixed network: Iberian and metric gauge. Wanting to propose the second, the route sees Oviedo as its focal point, where regional lines to Ferrol and Santander converge. Also included are the cross commuter lines to Trubia (West) and Infiesto (East). Passing through El Berrón. Then, the network extends north, reaching Gijón and its industrial area. From here, the last line starts, towards Avilés (and its port). Without forgetting link to the industrial/port area of Sotiello/Aboño! The sea, the cities and the stunning valleys of northern Spain. Keeping this area's vital interurban and regional connections alive. This is The Asturian Metric Network: Oviedo, Gijón and beyond!

GENERAL FEATURES

This network develops along the following lines:

a) Oviedo-Santander Railway (Oviedo-Infiesto section):
- 47.7km(29.6mi) in lenght.
- Double track, metric gauge (1000mm/3 ft 3+3⁄8 in), electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE [Oviedo-La Carrera section, via El Berrón].
- Single track, metric gauge, electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE [La Carrera-Infiesto (apeadero)].
- 80/100km/h(50/62mph) max achievable speed. With some 70km/h(43mph) drops.

b) Oviedo-Trubia Railway (entire path):
- 12km(7.5mi) in lenght.
- Single track, metric gauge (1000mm/3 ft 3+3⁄8 in), electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE. Except for common areas of Oviedo (underground) and Trubia (to Pravia).
- 70-80km/h(43-50mph) max achievable speed.

c) Gijón-Langreo (Laviana) Railway (Gijón-El Berrón section):
- 20km(12.4mi) in lenght.
- Double track, metric gauge (1000mm/3 ft 3+3⁄8 in), electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE [El Berrón-La Florida & Tremañes-Gijón sections].
- Single track, metric gauge, electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE [La Florida-Tremañes section].
- 80/90km/h(43-56mph) max achievable speed.

d) Ferrol-Gijón Railway (Gijón-Avilés section):
- 27.3km(17mi) in lenght.
- Single track, metric gauge (1000mm/3 ft 3+3⁄8 in), electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE. Except for common area of Gijón.
- 70-80km/h(43-50mph) max achievable speed. With some 50km/h(31mph) drops.

Total of: 107km(66.5mi) in lenght.

Added to this are the Pinzales-Aboño/El Musel freight line and Avilés Harbour freight link (approx 10km/6mi).

Metric tracks are flanked by Iberian ones in the following locations: Gijón, Oviedo, Veriña, Aboño/El Musel and Avilés. Mostly electrified 3kV DC OHLE. There are mixed gauge tracks (iberic/metric) on freight areas.

The path is equipped with:
- Automatic signaling block (except freight areas), featuring mostly digital, multi-aspect signals.
- ASFA (Signal Warning and Automatic Braking), as safety system adopted.
- EMR (Mobile Radio Equipment), as regards comm.

Link to ES metric signals/regulation (unfortunately Spanish only): https://www.seguridadferroviaria.es...7BB6-4DFE-94E3-51E2B6A9834A/140822/FeveRS.pdf

Network is managed by:
- Adif (Spanish Railway Network)(FEVE, until 2013), public company.
Passenger service is operated by:
- Renfe-Feve SA (FEVE, until 2013), major Spanish public metric operator.
- CTA (Asturias Transport Consortium), in which interurban services are integrated.
Freight service is operated by:
- Renfe Mercancías SA (still uses FEVE brand), public/private metric freight operator.

THE NETWORK


General view of the network (as it looked like in 2019). All affected lines and major stops are indicated.


Renfe-Feve service plan in the Asturias area (as it appeared in 2019-21).

STATIONS

This network features 51 active stations/stops, of which 6 terminals (including Oviedo and Gijón). Plus 1 steelworks workers only stop (Oficinas).

The calls are, as follows:

----Trubia-Oviedo----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Trubia, southwestern terminal (C9f/C7f lines)-->Pravia/San Esteban.
- Soto-Udrión
- San Pedro de Nora
- San Claudio
- Las Mazas
- Las Campas
- Argañosa-Lavapiés
- Vallobín
- Oviedo station, C6f-C7f lines terminal. Shared with iberic network.
----Oviedo-Infiesto---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- La Corredoria, shared with iberic network.
- Parque Principado
- Colloto
- Meres
- Fonciello
- El Berrón, crossroads between C6f, C9f and C5f lines-->Gijón.
- La Carrera
- Pola de Siero
- Los Corros
- Lieres
- El Remedio
- Llames
- Nava
- Fuente Santa
- Ceceda
- Carancos
- Pintueles
- Infiesto
- Infiesto (Apeadero), eastern terminal (C6f line)-->Santander.
----El Berrón-Gijón---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Noreña
- La Florida
- Puente Buracos
- La Aguda
- Pinzales
- Sotiello
To Aboño/El Musel (freight only).
- Tremañes (Langreo)
- Gijón (Sanz Crespo) station, northern terminal (C5f, C9f and C4f lines). Shared with iberic network.
----Gijón-Avilés-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Tremañes (Carreño)
- Centro de Transportes
- Veriña, shared with iberic network.
To Sotiello (freight only).
- Aboño
- Xivares
- Perlora
- Candás (Apeadero)
- Candás
- Regueral
- Zanzabornín
- Laminación-Gudín
- Trasona
- Oficinas (steelworks workers only).
- Llaranes
- Avilés (Apeadero)
- Avilés, northeastern terminal (C4f line)-->Pravia/Cudillero.
To Avilés Harbour (freight only).

The reference depots are:
- BM El Berrón (Renfe-Feve maintenance depot).
- BAT Trasona (Renfe Mercancías shed).

STATIONS PICS


Oviedo Station, also known as "Estación del Norte". The city's main station. Busy rail hub for metric and iberic services, dating back to 1946. It was completely revamped in 1999 (including its underground area).


Gijón Station, also known as "Gijón-Sanz Crespo". The city's terminal. This is a temporary station, opened in 2011. It replaces the original terminal (now railway museum). It will be replaced by a new structure nearby.


El Berrón Station, spectacular multi-platform stop. It features the famous "diamond", the only example of a metric level crossing in Europe! Note (right), the various platforms (multiple lines affected) and attached depot.

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Left: La Corredoria, Oviedo urban stop. It serves both gauges, located at different levels.
Right: Infiesto, eastern terminal of the C6f line. It's actually followed by a small stop very close to it (Infiesto Apeadero). Trains reach it, then reverse and end their service here.


Left: Avilés, northwestern terminal of the C4f line. It's located in the local portual area, served by both gauges.
Right: Trubia, southeastern terminal of the C9f line. Note the third platform (freight only, since 2009).

PASSENGER SERVICE

CERCANíAS ASTURIAS (Interurban)

- C4f Gijón-Avilés-Cudillero [stopper, 1/2]:
72 daily services: 36x Gijón-->Cudillero, 36x Cudillero-->Gijón.
2Tph both directions (Gijón-Avilés); 1Tph extended to Cudillero.

- C5f Gijón-El Berrón-Laviana [stopper,1/2]:
34 daily services: 17x Gijón-->Laviana, 17x Laviana-->Gijón.
1Tph both directions (integrated by C9f, El Berrón-Gijón).

- C6f Oviedo-El Berrón-Infiesto(Apeadero) [stopper, full]:
37 daily services: 11x Oviedo-->Infiesto, 11x Infiesto-->Oviedo, 8x Oviedo-->Nava, 7x Nava-->Oviedo.
1Tph both directions (Oviedo-Infiesto), 1Tph/1Tp2h both directions (Oviedo-Nava).
(Integrated by C9f, El Berrón-Oviedo).

- C7f Oviedo-Trubia-San Esteban [stopper, 1/3]:
33 daily services: 17x Oviedo-->San Esteban, 16x San Esteban-->Oviedo.
1Tph both directions (integrated by C9f Oviedo-Trubia).

- C9f Gijón-Oviedo-Trubia [semi-fast, full]:
24 daily services: 12x Gijón-->Oviedo, 12x Oviedo-->Gijón.
1Tph/1Tp2h both directions (Gijón-Oviedo); 1Tp2h extended to Trubia.
(Integrated by C5f El Berrón-Gijón, C6f El Berrón-Oviedo, C7f Ovedo-Trubia).

Total of 200 interurban daily services.

REGIONAL/MEDIA DISTANCIA (Regional/Mid-range)

- R1f Ferrol-Oviedo [regional]:
4 daily services: 2x Ferrol-->Oviedo, 2x Oviedo-->Ferrol.
1 outbound & 1 inbound (morning), 1 outbound & 1 inbound (afternoon).

- R2f Oviedo-Santander [regional]:
4 daily services: 2x Oviedo-->Santander, 2x Santander-->Oviedo.
1 outbound & 1 inbound (morning), 1 outbound & 1 inbound (afternoon).
(Overlapping with R2a).

- R2a Oviedo-Llanes [mid-range]:
8 daily services: 4x Oviedo-->Llanes, 4x Llanes-->Oviedo.
2 outbound & 2 inbound (morning), 2 outbound & 2 inbound (afternoon).
(Overlapping with R2f).

Total of 16 regional/mid-range daily services.

There are also two additional services: Transcantábrico Gran Lujo & Transcantábrico Clásico. These are two loco-hauled luxury sleeper trains, operating between Ferrol and Bilbao. This would include their Arriondas(Infiesto)-->Oviedo-->Gijón-->Candás(Avilés) section. And vice versa. These services are weekly organized (about 1 week of travel), March-November timeframe.

Including all Cercanías Asturias iberic gauge services (C1, C2 and C3), as well as all Renfe LD/MD traffic (AI Only at some sections).

FREIGHT SERVICE

Freight service is quite complex on this network.

There are:
- Timber/intermodal services Ferrol (Pravia)<-->Cantabria/Basque Country.
- Coal services León (La Robla)-->Aboño Powerplant/El Musel Harbour.
- Steel/aluminum services Avilés-->Cantabria/Basque Country.
- Chemicals Trubia<-->Raos Harbour.

There are also some internal coal services:
- El Musel-->San Juan de Nieva (coal transfer).
- Trubia (Figaredo)-->El Berrón West (coal mine).
- El Berrón (Barredos)-->Aboño/El Musel (coal mine).

Freight facilities:
- Avilés Harbour yard (coal, steel and aluminum).
- Aboño West sidings (hopper empties).
- Aboño/El Musel yard (coal, with powerplant unloading).
- El Musel terminal (coal loading/unloading).
- San Juan de Nieva terminal (coal unloading).
- El Berrón West sidings (mixed goods).
- Nalón Chemical terminal (Trubia).

Convoys can be: mixed, steel/aluminium or coal only!

ROLLING STOCK

The following rolling stock could be seen here at the time (2019):

CERCANíAS

- UTE 3500-3300/Serie 435-433 & UTE 3600/Serie 436 Renfe-Feve. [Mandatory]

Backbones of the Asturian metric interurban fleet.

435-433
Number in service: 12(433), 9(435).
Year: from 1977 (433s from refurbished 435s, 2007/09).
Usage: all interurban lines.
Max speed: 100km/h(433), 80km/h(435).
Number of cars: 2.
Power supply: 1.5kV DC OHLE (choppers).
Multiple control: yes.
Safety Systems: ASFA Digital and dead man.

436 (2nd series)
Number in service: 9.
Year: from 2006.
Usage: all interurban lines.
Max speed: 100km/h.
Number of cars: 2.
Power supply: 1.5kV DC OHLE (IGBTs).
Multiple control: yes.
Safety Systems: ASFA Digital and dead man.

REGIONAL

- UTDH 2700/Serie 527 & UTDE 2900/Serie 529 Renfe-Feve. [Optional/DLC]

Iconic Spanish metric DMUs/railcars.

527
Number in service: 17.
Year: from 2009.
Usage: Regional lines (mainly).
Max speed: 120km/h(limited to 100km/h).
Number of cars: 2.
Power supply: 2x MTU flat 6 turbodiesel engines+Voith hydraulic drivecases.
Multiple control: yes.
Safety Systems: ASFA Digital and dead man.

529
Number in service: 12.
Year: from 2010.
Usage: Mid-range lines (mainly).
Max speed: 120km/h(limited to 100km/h).
Number of cars: 1.
Power supply: 1x MTU flat 6 turbodiesel engine+Voith hydraulic drivecase.
Multiple control: yes.
Safety Systems: ASFA Digital and dead man.

MERCANCíAS

- Serie 1600-1650-1660/316-316.050-316.060 & Serie 1900/619 + Wagons Renfe (Feve) Mercancías. [Optional/DLC]

Famous and powerful metric freight locos, former FEVE lines of Spain.

316 (1st, 2nd,3rd series)
Number in service: 14(316), 10(316.050), 6(316.060).
Year: from 1982(316), 1985(316.050), 1995(316.060).
Usage: metric freight network/shunting (except for Basque Country).
Max speed: 70km/h(all series).
Number of cabins: 1(316), 2(316.050-060).
Power supply: 1x Caterpillar V12 turbodiesel engine+electric traction (raw sound!).
Multiple control: yes.
Safety Systems: ASFA Classic/Digital and dead man.

619
Number in service: 17.
Year: from 2002.
Usage: mainline metric freigth network (except for Basque Country).
Max speed: 70km/h.
Number of cabins: 2.
Power supply: dual-mode, 1.5kV DC OHLE/1x Caterpillar V12 turbodiesel engine+electric traction.
Multiple control: yes.
Safety Systems: ASFA Digital and dead man.

The following wagons are suggested:
- Sgh 9000 Multi-role flatcar.
Conf.: full platform (steel beams/alu ingots); double pit (steel coils); poles&bottoms (timbers).
- 2TTag Open hopper.
Role: coal transport. There's also a "closed" version (cement/aggregates).
- 2SSag Flatcar.
Role: intermodal (containers/tanktainers).

I also remember the presence of the two "Transcantábrico" trainsets, made up by sleeping, day and service coaches. They're hauled by 316 & 619 Series locos.

Continue Below...

 

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ROUTE PICS


Left: Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias. Note the unique "Congress and Exhibition Palace", by Santiago Calatrava (2011).
Right: Gijón, another important local city. It's located on the coast, featuring a large port and industrial area.


Left: Sotiello Steelworks, located behind Gijón. They constitute one of the largest iron&steel hub in northern Spain.
Right: Aboño Powerplant, behind the hill that divide it from El Musel Harbour. It supplies all huge local steelworks/cement plants. Note the attached metric yard.


Left: Asturias Railway Museum, located in the original 1874 Gijón terminal, now adapted to this role. It preserves 750-1668mm heritage stock. It's located 1km(0.6mi) northwest of the current terminal.
Right: CRC (CTC) El Berrón, Adif Asturian metric-iberic traffic management center. Located on the namesake junction, managing approximately 980km(609mi) of tracks! (Mastery?).


Left: Avilés, with its extensive Harbour and industrial area. Note the strange "Niemeyer Center" building, hyper-modern structure by the famous architect, designer of Brasilia.
Right: Candás, spectacular view on the Bay of Biscay. It's served by our network.


Left: Infiesto, small historic village in the Cantabrian Mountains. Terminal of one of our lines.
Right: Trubia, northwest of Oviedo. Typical Asturian valley landscape. Note its chemical terminal.

ROUTE VIDEOS


Cabride Gijón-Sotrondio(consider Gijón-El Berrón only), C5f interurban service path.


Cabride Oviedo-San Esteban de Pravia(consider Oviedo-Trubia only), C7f interurban service path.


Cabride Arriondas-Oviedo(consider Infiesto-Oviedo only), C6f interurban service path.


Cabride Cudillero-Candás(consider Avilés-Candás only), C4f interurban service path.


El Berrón trainspotting & other Asturian locations (interurban, regional, freight).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHnsWrHW6i4&t=856s&ab_channel=Conceyullena
Aboño-El Musel Harbour coal freight operations!

All RIGHTS and CREDITS to the original authors.

CONCLUSIONS

Welcome to Northern Spain! Between the rolling valleys and ocean coast lies the largest metric-gauge network in Europe! Immerse yourself in the daily railway reality of Asturias, between the important and iconic cities of Oviedo and Gijón; in the shadow of the Cantabrian Mountains. Take service on the intricate interurban network, that connects large centers to their suburbs and rural areas. You'll be able to rely on the veteran metric electric units that serve here! Then, you'll have to manage part of the regional services that connect Asturias to the surrounding coastal regions. You'll be able to rely on modern and characteristic metric diesel-hydraulic units for this! Finally, you'll be able to close your experience with a number of freight services, keeping vital connections active and serving local companies. This is what awaits you in the land of Spanish princes and kings! This is The Asturian Metric Network: Oviedo, Gijón and beyond!

Caravatt.

PS. Integrations and corrections are always welcome! There may be some small inaccuracies, especially on freight operations.

 

Looks pretty interesting, and I'm always happy to see a new country. Count me in

 

Nice

 

I've integrated freight service infos with some additional activities. Plus other small corrections!
Below here, I leave you some pics and introduction of the CTC El Berrón, which would be a great candidate as mastery for this route!


Another view (with the control room roundabout).


Mind Blowing control room view. Only 7 operators can handle all this!

PDF Link: https://www.adif.es/documents/20124...d-f870-289f-ef0f-00948589d84e?t=1708076665348

I hope this was helpful. Happy Sunday all!

 

Looks good & well-detailed. Hope we see that in the future.

 

thanks for the well written report, schedules, photos and lots of information on a complete rail transport system serving the people and industries of this region.

two questions: is the generic player interested and willing to pay for routes and trains to recreate part of the variety offered?
question two: is the operator even interested in licensing, providing drawings and access?

 

Niceee route, if it came to tsw5 then it would be a cool experience for players along with it's rolling stock

 

Thanks for your comment and appreciation 21c164fightercommand !
Answering your first question: yes, absolutely. Generic player would appreciate even just the two electric units. They're enough to create a busy timetable! You could also reduce lines a bit, remaining under 100km.
About second one, we don't known. Renfe has never appeared in games as official partner. Only third-party freeware! So DTG should think about this.

Hope I've been exhaustive.

Caravatt.

 

would love this but only if they did it with proper safety systems ... cant live without my dose of beeping infernos lol

 

Yes, license certainly remains a big question mark... I'd prefer an Oviedo-Gijón (via El Berrón), adding the line to Laviana (was local coal mine still active at the time?). I've a weakness for the Gijón-Avilés (the busiest and most scenic)! An extension to Trubia would also be nice (very short and with that reverse point to Pravia!). Without forgetting the industrial/port area, mandatory! Whatever you choose, it could be a very interesting route!

 

Having now visited Spain in real life, I'm very much up for seeing it in the game!

 

1900 series have a unique feature run on diesel power

 

Correct because it has that diesel engine meaning in a scenario if your electric power broke down just power up the diesel Electric. I've seen a locomotive like this in person New Jersey Transit ALP-45DP