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One month after the devastating rail crash in Córdoba province, high-speed trains between Madrid and Andalucía are getting back on track.

 

On Wednesday February 18, Renfe confirmed it has resumed services on key routes including Madrid–Seville, Madrid–Cádiz and Madrid–Granada, as well as the Alvia connection between Madrid, Granada and Almería. Private operators Iryo and Ouigo have also restarted services after Adif authorised traffic to resume following infrastructure repairs and safety tests.

 

The reopening comes a month after the January 18 collision near Adamuz that left 46 people dead and 126 injured. The accident, involving an Iryo train travelling from Málaga to Madrid and an Alvia service heading towards Huelva, led to the suspension of one of Spain’s most important high-speed corridors.

 

According to Renfe, the return to normal service follows the completion of repair work and extensive technical and signalling checks to guarantee safe operation. However, the first trains on Tuesday morning experienced delays of up to an hour and a half.

 

Most routes are now operating to normal timetables, but there are still some adjustments.

 

The Madrid–Málaga line will not return to full normal operation until early March due to delays in Adif’s works. For now, Renfe is running trains between Madrid and Antequera, with an alternative road transfer between Antequera and Málaga because of the collapse of a retaining wall.

 

On the Madrid–Huelva line, the first service runs by train except for the Córdoba–Huelva section, which is currently covered by bus.

 

Renfe says that since January 20, nearly 72,000 passengers have used the alternative transport plan put in place during the suspension. The company added, “Renfe appreciates the understanding and trust of users throughout this period.”

 

Iryo has resumed 14 daily services between Madrid and Seville, seven in each direction, including cross-country connections between Barcelona and Seville. Ouigo is gradually restoring its timetable and expects to operate six daily trips between Madrid and Seville once fully up to speed. For the moment, its overall operations are running at around 75% of pre-accident levels.

 

The restoration of services will be welcome news for Andalucía’s tourism sector, particularly on the Costa del Sol, where businesses have warned of serious losses during the disruption. Earlier this week, local tourism authorities estimated the temporary closure of the Madrid–Málaga line could cost the province €109 million.

 

Meanwhile, the Railway Accident Investigation Commission continues to examine the cause of the derailment. With human error ruled out in the early stages, investigators are focusing on the track infrastructure and rail welding.

 

For passengers, though, the most visible sign of progress is simple. After weeks of uncertainty, the trains are moving again.

 

 

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