ADIF began testing on a Wednesday as the high‑speed rail project linking Murcia with Orihuela advances toward commercial operation. The latest trials involved passenger trains similar to those that would connect the capital with Madrid, with crews evaluating performance along the new electric corridor in both directions during morning runs to Carmen station. This final phase of testing precedes the premiere of the AVE service and is scheduled to continue through the weekend.
ADIF announced that it has initiated reliability tests using trains slated for commercial service. These routes are designed to monitor system behavior under operating conditions that mirror real service and to ensure compliance with future timetables. The tests are complementary to those conducted during the validation and verification phase of facilities, especially on routes using BT or Seneca laboratory trains.
ADIF is also monitoring how the new railway layout behaves during simulated business operations. A final report will describe the tests performed, the conditions in which they were carried out, and a concise summary of the system’s overall performance.
The Government Representative for the Region, Jose Vélez, announced the start of the confidence tests, which will run through Sunday. Vélez noted that after completion the file will be forwarded to the Railway Safety Agency, the body responsible for certifying that the new line is fit for high‑speed trains and can enter service if no issues arise.
Arrival of the AVE in the region is planned for the second or third week of December, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Mediterranean Corridor and the broader national high‑speed network.
Once testing is finished, ADIF will notify railway companies that the track configuration is close to nominal operating conditions, enabling the start of driver training routes for the new alignment.
During the initial phase, through next Sunday, approximately 24 routes per day were planned between Orihuela, Beniel, and Murcia, with about 102 to 112 standard gauge trains operating across different daytime windows.
The Beniel–Murcia–Carmen section, once launched, is expected to provide Murcia with a direct high‑speed connection to Madrid and link it to the high‑speed network. It forms part of the Mediterranean Corridor and will, in time, enable direct connections with Murcia, Lorca, and Almería, as well as other cities around the Mediterranean belt, supporting both passenger and freight traffic.