At four forty-five in the afternoon, the Alvia 10021 Pajares headlighted the southern end of the Variant’s west tube, slipping out of the time warp eleven minutes later. The first high‑speed journey from Asturias to Madrid surged to 201 kilometers per hour, briefly reached 201, then emerged from darkness, bidding farewell to the Pajares ramp’s curves, continuing toward León, and facing interruptions from storms and road or rail detours. Across nineteen different opening dates between 2010 and 2023, the project doubled the initial investment, facing changes in waterways, shifting basins, and slopes that threatened the rails. Construction spanned 6,713 days, with a nine‑digit euro price tag that kept morphing through the years. This inaugural run marked a milestone, a ribbon cut that Castillo officials hoped would justify the long isolation of the region. The Madrid–Oviedo route now shuttles in about three hours and ten minutes, crossing the Cordillera from La Robla to Pola de Lena, shaving an hour and a half off prior travel times. It represents the fastest land link between Asturias and Madrid, and in Oviedo, where officials mix metaphor with policy, the moment is framed as a new beginning that invites fresh investment and opportunity for the region.
In the protocol convoy, the Head of Government, the King, and around two hundred guests—plus ministers, deputies, senators, business leaders, and regional representatives—made the journey from Madrid to Oviedo. The social, political, and business life of Asturias gathered to glimpse what begins now: a futuristic chapter for a region long seeking to unlock its potential. The scene even echoes Winston Churchill’s rhetoric about bold moments that reshape a country, fitting the sense of a Pajares variant that could redefine the regional road map.
The Alvia departed from Chamartín’s platform 21, five minutes late, with 237 passengers and a nine‑car shuttle train. Behind the locomotive sat the comfort class and other premium sections, with the president, the King, and the Transport Minister as part of the delegation. In León station, regional leaders joined a gathering that included ministers who had watched the project unfold and sailors of the state railway tradition. A local machinist from Campomanes, along with colleagues from Lena and nearby towns, shared in the event, underscoring the project’s deep roots in the local workforce.
Two hundred people filled lines of MPs, senators, business figures, and community leaders as the ceremony continued. A priest from Mieres gave a blessing and reminded passengers that, in his view, “Today, Asturias is the real Spain.” He paused for a photo with the ticket and offered his blessing regardless of whether it was requested by the crowd.
On innovation day, the crew wore a formal Spanish‑style dark blue cape over their uniforms for special occasions. The train stretched from one end of Chamartín through a landscape undergoing redevelopment, moving toward León. The weather in Madrid looked gray, brighter on the Castilian Plateau, and as the train rolled north, mist and fog thickened, turning portions of the Pajares route into an almost nightlike tunnel. Yet the passengers and those in attendance would experience a different reality—the new railway would largely bypass the old, offering a glimpse of a transformed travel experience and a glimpse of what Renfe’s high‑speed service could become with future Avril trains.
Along the AVE standard gauge line, the train reached its peak speed of 249 kilometers per hour, the fastest stretch of the journey, with dignitaries receiving guests upon arrival. The route’s evolution now involves a gauge change point near León, a moment that signaled the end of ordinary travel as it was known. From Madrid to León, the climb and descent through 65 tunnels, once a dangerous and slow passage, could be navigated faster, with an informative display mounted at the locomotive front showing real‑time details to every car. The early days of the Variant emphasize traditional travel patterns, with new operations anticipated as the first Avril trains roll out in early next year, and Renfe highlighting improvements in high‑speed comfort and service.
Yesterday marked the seventh longest tunnel in Europe as the event featured a large information screen at the platform entrance and a towering monitor in Oviedo’s tent. The narrative moved from isolation to direct access, with business leaders highlighting the need to optimize frequencies, pricing, and low‑cost Renfe options, alongside plans to promote joint ski tourism between Asturias and León. The commentary from regional leaders spoke of a future shaped by this rail breakthrough, even as questions persisted about schedule frequency and the economic returns such infrastructure must deliver.
Out in Avilés, voices asked about the planned daily frequency and how the corridor would sustain tourism and commerce. Theday’s speeches reflected a sense of horizon and hope, with ministers and regional presidents discussing the opening’s significance and acknowledging the shifts in strategy that had accompanied the project’s history. Passengers enjoyed a modest lunch featuring regional fare as the train covered the distance with a pace that surprised locals familiar with the old Pajares route.
As the train moved past Pola de Lena toward La Robla, the journey settled into a steady rhythm. By late afternoon, Oviedo station was in clear view and the ceremonial section concluded. In the ensuing discussions, the ministers resisted excuses for delays and expressed gratitude for the tunnels that unlocked a new future, noting the opportunity for broader economic growth and greater mobility for the people of Asturias and neighboring regions. The regional leaders spoke of unity, equality, and a future that welcomes all Spaniards into a more connected landscape.
Alvia cabin full of career milestones and local pride
Manuel Campomanes did not expect the moment to arrive, yet the premiere of the Variante de Pajares elevated him to a defining career milestone. He leads Renfe’s train‑driver corps and hails from La Cobertoria in Lena. The event saw him crowned alongside Ángel González, a fellow Campomanes native who had guided the tour. Campomanes and González were joined by King Felipe VI and other key figures traveling aboard the inaugural Kilometres of the Asturian high‑speed route. Their presence in the cabin is now remembered as a historic moment—an emblem of Spain’s most ambitious railway undertaking to date.