Transport authorities face scrutiny over train measurement errors and conflicting claims
Renfe and Adif are under fire for what appears to be a measurement miscalculation tied to the metric gauge network built for 2020 orders. Both organizations deny any intentional wrongdoing and insist they are not implicated in a broader international controversy. Yet within their inner circles there are looks that suggest tension and mutual scrutiny as the matter unfolds.
Two publicly traded entities are each deflecting responsibility for a fault that affects trains intended to pass through tunnels in Cantabria, Galicia, and Asturias. The issues center on minimum clearance distances between train bodies and tunnel walls and ceilings, as required by safety regulations. Behind the public silence, two opposing narratives have emerged. Renfe attributes failures to official tunnel measurements provided by Adif, while Adif contends that Renfe’s contract specs contain incorrect figures that led to the problem.
Transport Minister halts further work due to train size errors in Cantabria
The leadership at Renfe and Adif appears highly agitated, echoing concerns that ripple through government circles ahead of elections. The core problem was identified during the design phase of the prototype before 31 ordered units could be produced, with 11 destined for Asturias if the work progresses as planned.
Renfe explains the dimension error by saying they do not measure tunnels directly. Instead, they rely on tunnel data supplied by the infrastructure owner and incorporated into contract specifications. The official tunnel measurements, however, do not align with reality. One suggested cause is that tunnel clearance can change with maintenance work, such as ballast regeneration, which may reduce overhead space over time.
A second explanation points to evolving safety regulations that differ for existing trains and new orders. New trains must meet stricter clearances; tunnels are designed to accommodate longer distances from walls and ceilings. Renfe staff contend that the ordered trains are not unable to fit, but they would fail to meet the minimum vault clearance under current rules.
Adif offers a different account: the clearance figures used in the sequencing specifications for CAF were incorrect. A representative from the railway administration denies any direct involvement in Renfe’s measurements, insisting that the figures Adif uses are the correct ones.
Government acknowledges a problem with train sizes in Cantabria and Asturias
Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez faces a tough decision on which party’s account is more accurate. In Cantabria’s briefing, she signaled possible personnel actions against the two companies, with delays expected for several trains already planned for service in Asturias and Cantabria. Critics describe the situation as a significant governance failure, forecasting two to three years of delivery delays for several consignments.
To address the situation, Sánchez announced the creation of a working group that will include Cantabrian and Asturian leaders to examine responsibilities and shape next steps. The ministry plans to use a comparative method—measuring the largest train currently in service and using those dimensions as a reference for future units—to resolve the discrepancy across fleets.
However, aligning safety standards is tricky. Current regulations require larger clearances for new trains than those for existing ones, meaning the same dimensions could meet service requirements for existing trains but not for new builds. The ministry suggests adjusting standards so future trains match the effective clearance of in-service trains, balancing safety with production timelines.
Stance on public expenditure and ongoing assessment
The Ministry of Transport emphasizes that the dimension error in the 2020 Feve-mapped line orders did not trigger a new public expenditure. The issue is framed as a design-stage problem, implying a redesign and potential production delays rather than a budget overrun. The ministry notes that the problem was detected early, during the design phase, and not during manufacturing.
Efforts to implement a corrective framework are underway. The ministry is applying the comparative method to align designs with existing, proven configurations while pursuing a streamlined production path for the 31 trains in the contract. A dedicated working group will monitor progress and invite Cantabria and Asturias to participate. An internal audit has been commissioned to minimize delays in delivery, projected at two to three years. Production with CAF is targeted to resume this summer, aiming to complete the design phase promptly and accelerate later manufacturing.
Local officials have pressed for clarity on responsibility and expedited manufacturing. Cantabrian President Adrián Barbón and Asturian leader Adrián Barbón both urged transparent accountability and swift corrective actions to prevent ongoing disruptions. They underscored the need for a clear timeline and firm decisions on who holds responsibility for the misstep.
Regional officials have also called for renewed investment in local rail infrastructure, noting that renewal timelines must reflect the region’s transport needs. The ministries vow to maintain momentum while ensuring rigorous oversight of the design and production processes. The discussion continues as the design phase evolves, with testing and prototype validation serving as critical milestones before full-scale rollout.
In the ongoing process, Transport officials explained that production starts after a detailed paper design. After a prototype is built and tested to verify compliance with technical and safety requirements, the production phase for the full order—31 trains—begins. The path from paper to on-track performance involves iterative adjustments, especially for metric-width lines with unique characteristics, before the entire fleet becomes operational.