A unique Japanese heavy-hauler at L'Arboç

Shortly after we arrived at L'Arboç station, a locomotive with truly unique characteristics came into view: the only 251 Class unit in service to have been built in Japan by Mitsubishi.

After nearly 40 years of excellent and demanding service, it is highly satisfying to see these magnificent machines running tirelessly — even if they are sporting this particular livery, much to our regret.

In the following snapshot, we see the "Japanese and a half" number 251-002 hauling an intermodal container train as it passes through L'Arboç station, less than an hour away from its destination, Barcelona.

Photo scanned from film negative

In the following snapshot, we can see number 269-353 hauling an intermodal container train in the opposite direction. This pseudo-tandem is now owned by GoTransport, a company that has been brightening up train movements in the area lately. Let us hope they see fit to give them a bit of a facelift soon, if only to clean off that dreadful graffiti.

Photo scanned from film negative