Talgo Avril trains have faced severe operational disruptions following a significant system failure, resulting in service cancellations across major routes connecting Madrid with Galicia and Asturias. On January 1, 2025, Renfe, the national rail operator, reported suspending 12 train services due to communication failures affecting the control system for the battery chargers.
The train operator confirmed this issue rendered the state-of-the-art Talgo Avril trains, designated as series 106, completely unusable. The technical glitch led Renfe to cancel 28 scheduled trips on New Year’s Day, impacting around 14,100 passengers.
According to Adif, the railway infrastructure manager, all autopropelled trains from the Talgo Avril series were immobilized as precautionary measures to guarantee passenger safety. Passengers were being transferred to other available trains whenever possible, and Renfe is implementing contingency plans, including transportation by road.
The failure has reignited tensions between Renfe and Talgo, with reports indicating the Avril trains have had multiple technical difficulties since their introduction. Talgo’s high-capacity design, intended to minimize energy consumption and optimize efficiency, appears to have backfired with 479 recorded incidents since the first trains began service on May 21, 2024. Of these, 14 incidents required passenger rescues.
"Due to a communication failure between the control system and battery chargers of the Avril trains, they cannot currently operate. We are working together with our partner, the battery charger operator, to resolve the incident and restore service as quickly as possible," stated Talgo’s spokesperson, emphasizing the collaborative effort for resolving the failure.
The 1st of January had been scheduled for numerous services, but Renfe opted to immobilize the trains on-site to maintain safety protocols. The disruptions extended through multiple routes, directly affecting journeys between Madrid and Asturias, as well as circuits stretching across Valencia and Alicante.
Despite the promise of innovation and efficiency, the tumultuous launch of the Talgo Avril model has led to considerable financial repercussions. Renfe previously sought compensation claims amounting to €166 million against the manufacturer due to delays and quality issues, and current forecasts suggest these costs may escalate.
The Spanish Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, has publicly committed to intervene, indicating concrete plans for compensation arrangements to address the concerns of affected passengers and mitigate reputational damage to Renfe.
"This marks yet another setback for Renfe’s Talgo Avril fleet during the New Year period," remarked the spokesperson for Renfe, reflecting on the competing challenges presented by rival high-speed services offered by competitors such as Ouigo and Iryo.
Renfe is also grappling with financial losses projected to reach €43.4 million by the end of 2024. With the current operational challenges, this could undermine the trust of commuters who rely on reliable rail service.
Adding to the chaos, the service disruptions coincided with another tragic event at the Sol station, where emergency services were dispatched following the report of a man struck by a Cercanías train. Emergency protocols were triggered, halting services across connecting lines amid the investigation.
While the design of the Talgo Avril was meant to revolutionize Spanish rail travel, with 12 passenger coaches stretching over 200 meters, their initial results are more chaotic than commendable. Travelers now ponder whether the future holds improvements, especially as Renfe aims to reground itself amid volatile market pressures and technological reliability concerns.
Renfe and Talgo now face the challenge of overcoming their operational failures swiftly, restoring trust among passengers, and ensuring safety and comfort as capacity slowly begins to resume.