Trenhotel

Logo of Renfe Trenhotel brand.

Trenhotel Salvador Dalí at Milano Centrale railway station.

Trenhotel is a long distance, high-quality overnight train service which uses Talgo tilting trains technology and sleeping cars developed by the Spanish rail network operator Renfe. It is operated by Renfe when it operates within Spain, and was operated by its subsidiary Elipsos when in France, Switzerland and Italy.

The specially developed Talgo carriages are sometimes used by other railway companies, although usually in other livery. As most quality European overnight trains, Trenhotel can offer special facilities for disabled passengers. There is a competing night train service within Spain called Tren Estrella; this uses traditional carriages on conventional Spanish (broad gauge) tracks.

Composition and services

Each Talgo train is composed of several interchangeable carriage types, permitting flexible composition depending on the mission. Tilting train technology is used with the series IV, V, VI and VII carriages.

The series IV do not have gauge change required for cross-border routes and high speed lines, consequently being restricted to operate within the Iberian Peninsula standard network. The series VI are approved for circulation in France, Switzerland and Italy.

A typical Trenhotel composition has:

• Tourist Seats (asientos turistas): similar to the first class (aircraft style) seats on regular trains. On Series VII and international carriages these can be reclined until they are completely horizontal.
• Tourist Cabins: These have washing facilities and four beds which are sold either as a family unit (the cabin is reserved as a whole) or alternatively individual beds may be sold separately so that male and female passengers who may be strangers are not mixed
• Preferred Cabins: Equipped with a sink flush toilet closet these have two beds, which are sold as single a unit for one or two occupants.
• High-class cabins, feature a shower, toilet and two beds, which are also sold as single a unit for one or two occupants.
• Cafeteria service units usually with seating and often some limited cabin service.
• Dining car providing full European style meals of different types, depending on the time of the day, and some limited service outside of usual working-hours.

Trenhotel units ordinarily travel at between 180 km/h (110 mph) and 250 km/h (160 mph) with an average speed of around 200 km/h (120 mph).

Traction

Trenhotel units are trailers so all need to incorporate a tractor locomotive. On international routes the locomotive unit is changed at the border. Within Spain Trenhotel usually uses a Renfe series 252 in electrified areas and Renfe series 334 diesel locomotive in non-electrified areas.

Routes

Trenhotel routes are named after famous Spanish places or people. Lately routes are limited, be sure to check with the train station (or online train app) as to which ones are running.

External links

• Renfe Trenhotel