Renfe Class 100
| Company type | High-speed train model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Renfe Operadora, Alstom, CAF |
| Headquarters | Spain |
| Products | High-speed trains |
The Renfe Class 100 represents a high-speed train model operated by Renfe Operadora specifically for AVE routes within Spain. Marking a milestone as Spain's inaugural high-speed train, it commenced operations in 1992.
History
Originally designed for the Iberian gauge () to serve the Andalusian corridor, the plan was later altered to adopt standard gauge (). Consequently, RENFE revised its initial order from 24 units of Iberian gauge to sixteen standard gauge trains delivered between 1991 and 1993.
Further contract modifications with Alstom led to the addition of eight more trains: two built to standard gauge and six to Iberian gauge specifications. The Iberian gauge units were designated as Renfe Class 101, previously utilized on the Mediterranean corridor's Euromed services, which have since been superseded by RENFE Class 130 trains.
During testing, set 100.015 achieved a new national speed record of , exceeding its earlier best of . The Class 100 also took part in velocity trials involving Talgo coaches.
In 2002, when set 100.012 suffered damage to its power car, it was reconstructed employing the advanced TGV-Duplex design, resulting in a distinctive trainset with two differing power car models.
The Class 100 fleet was mainly assigned to the Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line, with a short tenure on the Madrid–Barcelona route before being replaced by RENFE Class 102 trains. For operations on this line, pantographs were adapted and the ERTMS signaling system installed.
Between 2007 and 2012, after approximately fifteen years in service—half of their projected operational life—the entire series underwent comprehensive refurbishment.
Confronted with budget limitations in February 2011, RENFE decided to upgrade existing Class 100 trains for the Paris-Madrid connection at a cost of €30 million rather than acquiring ten new units for €270 million. These enhancements included increased passenger capacity and modifications to accommodate differing electrification and signaling requirements.
Starting in 2013, certain S100 trains received homologation for compatibility with French signaling systems, enabling cross-border routes connecting major French cities with Spanish centers such as Madrid and Barcelona. These services operated until their discontinuation in 2022 following the termination of overnight Paris-Spain trains.
Air Nostrum proposed leasing some Class 100 units from RENFE to operate services between Madrid Atocha and Gare de Montpellier-Saint-Roch beginning in October 2018.
Technical information
The Series 100 is based on the TGV Atlantique model used in France. Of the fleet, eight sets were produced by Alstom, while the remainder were constructed by CAF.
Each train features two power cars rated at 4,400 kW each, equipped with motorized bogies, coupled with eight passenger coaches utilizing shared bogies. Operating on standard gauge track, these trains support overhead electrical systems of both 3 kV DC and 25 kV at 50 Hz alternating current.
In contrast to their French counterparts, these units incorporate both Spain’s signaling system and the Linienzugbeeinflussung system used in Germany and Spain. Since 2004, nine trains have been retrofitted with the ERTMS signaling system, expanded by two additional coaches, and outfitted with cooling adaptations suitable for Spain’s climate conditions.