🚆🇫🇷 Taking the #IC14142 from Hendaye to Toulouse-Matabiau, the only direct service between these destinations. For this journey, you would normally have to change trains at Bayonne. I travelled first class which offers a less crowded space, extra room and reclining seats.

🚆🛤️ The #DonostiakoAldiriak network consists of a single line connecting Irun, Donostia and Brinkola. The route is 80.5 km long and serves 30 stations. There’s a planned extension to Hendaye using the existing tracks, which were due to be converted to standard gauge.

🚆🇪🇸 This has to be one of the longest train journeys in Spain! I went from Madrid-Príncipe Pío to San Sebastián-Donostia with the #MD18061, which takes about 7 hrs 40 mins to complete its 621 km route. It used to continue to Irun, but now only commuter trains cover that section.

🚄🇪🇸 I travelled from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha with the #AVE3082 in Prémium, worked by an AVE S-100. These were the first high-speed trains to enter service in Spain and, after more than three decades, they continue to be impressively comfortable and reliable!

🚂🏔️ This is a bit different from what I usually post. I stayed at Canfranc Estación, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, and it really deserves a special mention. It’s located in the beautifully restored railway station, which was inaugurated in 1928 and is a real piece of history!

🚆🇪🇸 I had driven to Canfranc before, taking photos along the line, but this was the first time I went by train. It really gives you a different perspective! I departed from Zaragoza-Delicias on the #R15642 and had to change to a shorter train at Huesca, both S-594 diesel units.

🚊🇩🇪 Exploring the tramway network of Berlin, which offers insight into the city’s historical development and explains its wider presence in the east. It’s the third-largest system in the world, with 22 lines, over 800 stops, and a route length of 193 km.

🚇🇩🇪 The Berlin U-Bahn is the most used transport system in the city. Its last major extension was the section from Alexanderplatz to Brandenburger Tor of line U5. It opened in 2020 and was merged with the segment to Hauptbahnhof, making it 26 stations and 22 km in total.

🚆🇩🇪 The latest generation of Berlin S-Bahn trains are the BR 483/484, built by Siemens and Stadler. They entered service in 2021 and operate on the ringbahn and south-eastern lines. In total, 106 units were delivered in two and four-car versions, allowing more flexible consists.

🚆🇩🇪 In Berlin, one of the most important transport systems is the S-Bahn network, with 15 lines and 168 stations. It covers 340 km in total, and its distinctive colours, in addition to third-rail electrification, differentiate it from other commuter rail services in Germany.

🚆🇩🇪 Last stretch of this journey between Hamburg and Berlin by regional train: with the #RE4367 from Rostock Hbf to Berlin Südkreuz, also on a double-decker push–pull trainset. This service operated by DB Regio is integrated as line #RE5 in VBB network with a 2-hourly frequency.

🚆🇩🇪 Next, I take the #RE4333 from Bad Kleinen to Rostock Hbf, again on board doppelstockwagen, but this time hauled by a BR 146 electric locomotive. The #RE1 line is also operated by DB Regio Nordost and is part of the Hanse-Express, with hourly trains between the two cities.

🚆🇩🇪 I change to the #RE56863 at Lübeck Hbf and continue to Bad Kleinen. This is an #RE2 service, operated by DB Regio Nordost. The train is hauled by a BR 218 diesel-hydraulic locomotive from 1976 and also has 4th-gen doppelstockwagen, a classic consist on these regional lines!

🚆🇩🇪 Taking the #RE11422 from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck Hbf. The route is integrated as line #RE8 in the NAH SH network and is operated by DB Regio with Stadler KISS units. The journey takes 46min, covering 63km. This train has an impressive capacity, in triple formation and 12 cars!

🚆🇪🇸 Heading back to Barcelona-Sants from València-Estació del Nord with the #IC1382 in Elige Confort. It’s not common to travel on loco-hauled trains in Spain, but this service, which runs entirely on the conventional line, is an exception, worked by an S-252 and two Talgo VI!

🚇🇪🇸 Exploring the #MetroValencia network, which has the longest metro line in Spain! It originated from the integration of several narrow-gauge lines until 1988, when it was transferred to #FGV and later reintroduced as Line 1, with a total lenght of 70 km and 40 stations.

🚄🇪🇸 Travelling with the #AVL5214 from Madrid-Chamartín to València-Joaquín Sorolla, the last #AVLO service of the day. This is the low-cost product of #Renfe, with a single class in a 3+2 seating layout. The journey takes 2h 5min, stopping at every station, and tickets from €7.

🚂🍓 The #TrenDeLaFresa is a historic train that runs between Madrid and Aranjuez, recreating the journey from the early days of this line, which is celebrating 175 years! There are different routes for this trip, including guided tours and a boat ride. It is a unique experience!

🚄💨 From Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha with the #AVE3190 in Prémium. The journey on this direct service is now 3h 2min because of speed restrictions. I had dinner included in my ticket and I chose the meat option, consisting of chicken stew, salad and fruit.

🚃⛰️ I travelled on the Ferrocarril de Sóller, a historic railway that connects Palma with Sóller and has changed little since its early days. This line opened in 1912 and uses a 3-foot gauge. The journey takes about an hour and covers a 27 km route offering impressive views!

🚆🇪🇸 There’s an unusual station on the Cercanías València network: Platja i Grau de Gandia is part of a short branch that allows freight trains to reach the port area and also serves as a terminus of line C1, with just two trains per day at weekends in the off-season!

🚄💨 From today, a special service is running between Barcelona-Sants and Lleida-Pirineus to increase capacity on the route, with tickets offered at no cost. This has also meant the return of the #Avril sets to this high-speed line, which were withdrawn due to technical issues.

🚆🇪🇸 From Bilbao-La Concordia to León with the #R71876, a 322 km journey taking 7h 49min. This route is part of the Ferrocarril de La Robla, originally built for coal traffic. There’s just one daily service between these cities and you need to change trains twice during the trip.

🚆📷 The line E3 of #Euskotren was also still pending for me! It runs between Kukullaga-Etxebarri and Lezama, serving 16 stations. The route is 19 km long and shares its initial section with line L3, allowing a weekday frequency of 7.5′ along this stretch and 15′ on the rest.

🚆🌊 This was one of the #Euskotren lines I hadn’t yet travelled, and what a view! The E4 is a commuter service that connects Matiko-Bilbao and Bermeo, with 25 stations over 52 km. The landscape becomes distinctly maritime at Mundaka, where the train runs along the coastline.

As 2025 is coming to an end, it’s time for a #RailReview! Here are some facts about this year: 🚄 Trips: 409 📏 Distance: +39.700 km 🌍 Countries visited: 16 📍 Longest journey: Wien - București I’m very much looking forward to more adventures on the rails! 🎉

🚆🛤️ In Bilbao, I had the opportunity to visit the Centro de Gestión de Operaciones (CGO) of #Renfe. From here they coordinate services, respond to disruptions and manage passenger information for the Cercanías Bilbao and Cercanías San Sebastián networks. It was very interesting!

🚄🇪🇸 Taking the #ALVIA438 from Barcelona-Sants to Bilbao-Abando in Elige Confort. This service is worked by an S-120, which features variable gauge, as it runs on the high-speed line until past Zaragoza-Delicias. The journey is around 6h 54min, covering a route of 650 km.

🚆🇹🇷 I crossed from Asia to Europe with the #Marmaray! This suburban rail system connects Halkalı and Gebze through a tunnel under the Bosphorus Strait. The line is 76.6 km in total, with its last section completed in 2019, and it’s operated exclusively by TCDD E32000 trains.

🚄🇹🇷 Heading back to Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme from Ankara on the #YHT, but this time with an HT65000. These trains built by CAF are based on Renfe S-120 and have a maximum speed of 250 km/h. I travelled in business class, which features comfortable seats and includes refreshments!