FGC's 254 Class hand over the baton

In the spring of 2023, the handover of FGC's ubiquitous 254 Class locomotives took place. These were the first locomotives to be acquired by the regional public operator back in a now-distant 1988, aimed at modernising freight operations on the Llobregat/Anoia line.

Entering service in 1990, they delivered excellent results throughout their 33-year lifespan.

Here we see number 254.02 at the head of empty potash train number Q913, heading from Barcelona Muelle Álvarez de la Campa to the Súria potash mine. It is pictured crossing the steel girder bridge over the Riera de Marganell, right next to Castellbell i el Vilar halt.

Castellvell i El Vilar

Read more

Mademoiselle Isabelle

Mademoiselle Isabelle

Taking a break during a business trip, I headed to Rodez station. La Gare surprises with its curious features, such as the interlocking system, which still operates partly by mechanical means, and the canopy, which remains in very good condition. It is a crying shame that the Sévérac-le-Château to Rodez

Millau Viaduct

Millau Viaduct

I have always been fascinated by great feats of engineering, but this one in particular is genuinely awe-inspiring. The Millau Viaduct carries the traffic of the A75 autoroute as it crosses the valley of the River Tarn, near the town after which it is named. With an impressive length of

Cruzcampo

Cruzcampo

Charter service number 39504 from Zaragoza Delicias to Barcelona Estació de França, chartered by Crucemar, winds its way through the comarca of Les Garrigues. It is surprising to see a conventional loco-hauled formation of this calibre in a country that has put all its eggs in the basket of multiple-unit

Euromed's memories (II)

Euromed's memories (II)

While visiting Valencia, I slipped away once again to València-Font de Sant Lluís, as I had spent years tracking down what is currently set number 12 of the 100 Class. The power car featured in this snapshot (formerly 101-201) was involved in an accident on 30 March 2002, when it