Talgo III RD set, "Barcelona Talgo". ARNOLD HN4512

RENFE Talgo III RD set, "Barcelona Talgo", in silver-roof livery.

Full composition consisting of eight cars.

Historical review of RENFE's "Barcelona Talgo"

In 1974, the "Barcelona Talgo" night train was launched using a TALGO III RD exclusively featuring sleeping berths, making it the first train of its kind to be put into service.

The cars, with four or five compartments, offered single, double, or tourist class berths. This train featured a cafeteria and a restaurant car.

The composition was formed by the TG2z-211 two-axle generator van, five TWL3u-308 tourist sleeping cars, one TWL3g-307 single/double sleeping car, the TR2-210 restaurant and TC2-206 cafeteria cars, three TWL3g-307 single/double sleeping cars, three TWL3u-308 tourist sleeping cars, and a TG2-212 generator van.

Departure was from Barcelona Sants as train 475/474 at 21:00, with stops at Paseo de Gracia, Gerona, and Figueras. The gauge-change maneuver was carried out in Port Bou in just under ten minutes, departing from there at 23:24.

In France, stops were made in Perpignan at 0:05 and Limoges at 5:03, arriving at Paris Austerlitz at 8:36.

The return journey was operated as train number 477/476, departing from Paris Austerlitz at 21:00 and arriving at Barcelona Sants at 8:30.

The service was covered by two captive sets that were prepared every day at their origin for the return trip the following night.