Talgo III RD expansion set, RENFE "Barcelona Talgo" ARNOLD HN4513

Talgo III RD expansion set, RENFE "Barcelona Talgo", in livery with silver roofs.

Composition consisting of eight cars, to complete a 16-car Talgo branch (together with reference HN4512).

Historical overview of RENFE's "Barcelona Talgo"

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

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

The composition was formed with the TG2z-211 two-axle generator van, five TWL3u-308 tourist sleeper cars, one TWL3g-307 single/double sleeper car, the TR2-210 restaurant and TC2-206 cafeteria cars, three TWL3g-307 single/double sleeper cars, three TWL3u-308 tourist sleeper 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 took place in Port Bou in just under ten minutes, from where it departed 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 operated as train number 477/476, departing Paris Austerlitz at 21:00 and arriving at Barcelona Sants at 8:30.

The service was covered by two dedicated sets that were prepared each day at their point of origin for the return trip the following night.