Valladolid - Venta de Baños - Palencia - León Line

Contributing to the socioeconomic structure of the Autonomous Community of Castile and León

Title

When this line comes into service, the capitals of Palencia and León will be included in the Spanish high-speed network. It will also favour connections towards Asturias (via León), Cantabria (via Palencia) and Burgos and the Basque Country (via Venta de Baños).

It also contributes to the socioeconomic structure of the Autonomous Region of Castile and León, and reduces the journey time between Madrid and the provincial capital of León.

European Funding

Adif AV has received aid and financing for this line from the various European Union (EU) funds and programmes.

"A way to make Europe"
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imagen párrafo
European Investment Bank (EIB)
The European Investment Bank (EIB) also takes part in the funding of this high-speed line.

Evolución

La nueva conexión Valladolid - Venta de Baños - Palencia - León, puesta en explotación el 30 de septiembre del año 2015,  tiene una longitud de 166 km y está diseñada para la circulación de trenes a una velocidad máxima de 350 km/h, con vía en ancho estándar o UIC (1.435 mm), electrificación a 2x25 kV 50 Hz en corriente alterna, propia de la alta velocidad.

Está proyectada para soportar tráficos de viajeros y mercancías.

No tiene un trazado tan condicionado por la abrupta orografía del terreno como el resto de las líneas del Corredor Norte-Noroeste. 

Description of the line

Important infrastructures
  • One tunnel (Peña Rayada, 1,998 m) and one false tunnel (Villamuriel de Cerrato, 350 m).
  • 48 viaducts / pergolas, to bridge other infrastructures at different levels.The viaducts over the Pisuerga River (1,331 m) and the Esla River (660 m), or the Torneros pergola (León), 606 m long, particularly stand out for their length.
  • A Maintenance Base for the line in Villada (Palencia)
  • The Venta de Baños Triangle, which will facilitate all direct traffic connections that are possible between Valladolid, Palencia, León and Burgos.
Gauge changers

The line has three gauge changers: one in Villamuriel (south of Palencia), to enable traffic on the Iberian gauge up to Cantabria; and two near León station, to ensure traffic on the Iberian gauge up to Asturias and Galicia.

Main structures

Quality service
  • A viaduct over the Pisuerga River (1,331 m), on the Nudo Norte de Valladolid – Cabezón de Pisuerga section.
  • The Peña Rayada Tunnel (1,998 m), on the Cabezón de Pisuerga-San Martín de Valvení (Valladolid) section.
  • The Venta de Baños Triangle, which will facilitate all direct traffic routes that are possible between Valladolid, Palencia and Burgos.
  • A viaduct over the Esla River (660 m), on the Palanquinos – Onzonilla (León) section.
  • A 606 metre-long pergola over the tracks of the future towed and rolling stock facilities and the double track of the current Palencia-Coruña line, on the Palanquinos-Onzonilla (León) section.
  • Maintenance Base for the line in Villada (Palencia)

Stations on the line

Adaptation of Palencia station

The adaptation has involved the complete renovation of the platforms, which have been widened, resurfaced, repaved and fitted with canopies. Accessibility has also been improved: access to the central platform has been improved by installing lifts next to the existing underpass, which has also been remodelled.

The new Palencia station includes two standard or UIC gauge high-speed tracks (the ones nearest to the passenger building), and two conventional gauge tracks.

León station

Adaptation of the High Speed line to the Conventional Network double track between Onzonilla and León station, including the renovation of the track-bed, superstructure, electrification, safety elements and two new gauge changers. Two new siding tracks have also been built in the León station, which now has two conventional gauge tracks (high speed) and two Iberian gauge tracks.

Infrastructure characteristics
166
Km
in length
48
Viaducts
and Pergolas
The longest is 1,331 m.
2
Tunnels
Peña Rayada (1,998 m)
Villamuriel de Cerrato false tunnel (350 m)
3
Stations
for travellers:
Valladolid-Campo Grande, Palencia and León