Barcelona Metro line 7

— Line 7, coloured brown (currently known as Plaça Catalunya - Avinguda Tibidabo), is a metro-like commuter train line in the Barcelona Metro network operated by FGC,  and part of the ATM fare-integrated transport system. Also known as Línia de Balmes, as it climbs Carrer de Balmes uphill into Tibidabo, it shares three stations with FGC L6. A more effective integration into the main metro system is expected to be applied, as well as an extension of the line.

History

When the city government was to extend the Balmes street north of the Travessera de Gràcia street it also considered the option of building a tunnel under the street. The idea was that the Barcelona-Sarria railway company would use the tunnel, construction started at the end of 1921 without any agreement over the use of the tunnel. By 1925 it was obvious that the idea had failed, the very low population density in the area discurraged the Barcelona-Sarria railway company from entrering into any agreement over the use of the tunnel considering it economically unsound.

By 1929 the Barcelona-Sarria railway line had been rebuilt as an underground line and at the same time connected to the Balmes street tunnel, but the very rural nature of the area it served meant that it would take another 25 years until any trains would run through it. Only in 1954 had the population density increased to a level that the commercial use of the tunnel was started, some 30 years after it had been built.

Overview

Being part of the suburban and regional line called Metro del Vallès along with L6, it links Plaça Catalunya in downtown Barcelona with Avinguda Tibidabo, where its service is continued by the Tramvia Blau and the non-urban FGC lines towards Vallès.

Technical details

• Number of stations: 12
• Type: Conventional metro (mixed traffic with suburban commuter train lines)
• Length: 7 km (4.3 mi)
• Rolling stock: 111 and 112 series
• Journey time: 9 minutes
• Track gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)
• Traction: Electricity
• Power supply: Standard overhead wire
• Open-air sections: No
• Mobile phone coverage: All line
• Depots: Rubí
• Operator: FGC

Current stations

• Plaça Catalunya (L1, L3, L6, RENFE)
• Provença (L6; Diagonal: L3, L5)
• Gràcia (L6)
• Plaça Molina
• Pàdua
• El Putxet (L9, L10)
• Avinguda Tibidabo (Tramvia blau)

External links

• Line 7 at Trenscat.com