Spain: Renfe, the national rail operator, has temporarily withdrawn five new Talgo Avril high-speed trainsets from service after cracks were discovered in the frames of their powered bogies. These 1,435 mm gauge trains, designated for the Avlo low-cost service between Madrid and Barcelona, are currently undergoing warranty repairs.
The issue was first identified during a routine inspection of one train, where a crack was detected in the bogie frame. Pictured is a crack in an Avril train bogie following additional load tests in the depot. Subsequent inspections revealed similar defects on four additional trainsets. The remaining 22 Avril trains delivered to Renfe passed safety checks and remain in commercial operation carrying passengers.
Following the discovery, Renfe imposed a temporary speed limit of 250 km/h on all Talgo Avril trains operating on the route, down from their previous 300 km/h maximum operational speed.
The Avril represents the latest generation of high-speed trains from the Spanish manufacturer Talgo. Development work and preparations for entry into service have been under way since 2008, with deliveries delayed by three years. The first trainsets entered passenger service in May last year. From the outset, the fleet encountered numerous operational issues. Between May and August 2024 alone, 479 incidents were recorded, including failures of traction equipment, doors, onboard communications, train control systems, and air conditioning units. The scale of the penalties imposed on Talgo by Renfe was such that government financial support was required to prevent a significant deterioration in the manufacturer’s financial position.
