High-Speed Velaro Trains Complete First Journey

The first Madrid-Barcelona AVE Velaro high-speed train has completed its first journey across Spain, reaching speeds of 300km.

The trains will run every hour on the 630km route, cutting journey time between the Spanish cities from six hours to two hours and 38 mins.

The Velaro, designed and built by Siemens Mobility, has a speed of 404km/h and set the world record for a series-produced train on Spanish tracks in September 2006.

Spain is currently working to expand its high-speed rail network to become the biggest in Europe by 2010.

By staff writer