Renfe Yes Adif Work has been completed to fully free the interior of the building high-speed tunnel between Atocha and Chamartín after rremove the train crash on October 19 without incident or impact on high-speed services,as promised,the Ministry of Transport reported today.
The works concluded this week and the operation, of great technical complexity, was carried out in a coordinated manner between Renfe, Adif, Alstom and Gescrap, a company specialized in the logistical management of metal waste responsible for supporting the train removal works.
As already reported by LA RAZÓN, the train, dismantled to be removed from the tunnel, was rendered unusable and its remains were destined for industrial reuse, technological use for Renfe and recycling.
The work plan, which began on November 5, was specifically designed to be implemented at night, between 00:30 and 04:30a band in which railway traffic is not recorded. The aim was to ensure that high-speed rail traffic,both of Renfe and other operators,was not compromised at any time.
Rescue tasks of the train that crashed in the Atocha tunnelMinistry of Transport
The rescue work, as detailed by the transports, was complicated. The work was organized in several phases aimed at dissecting and dismantling the damaged train into pieces. During the first hour of each day (00:30 – 01:30), the operators removed the protective tarpaulins and positioned the machines necessary for cutting the train. Subsequently, between 01.30 and 02.30, the train pieces were cut with specialized machinery.In the third phase, between 02.30 and 03.30, the cut pieces were moved outside the tunnel using locomotives and other loading vehicles.
in the last hour of the working day (03.30-04.30), the tracks were cleaned, the protective tarpaulins were replaced and everything was left ready for the resumption of high-speed rail traffic at dawn .
Once the work inside the tunnel was completed, the sections removed from the crashed train were transferred to the Fuencarral workshops, where they were handled according to established protocols. This process included both the treatment of metal waste and the evaluation and recovery of those pieces that were in optimal condition for reuse, as explained by the ministry.
Rescue operations for the train that derailed in the Atocha tunnelMinistry of Transport
One of the most complex moments was the removal of the entire fourth carriage from the damaged train, carried out on the night between 30 November and 1 December. This process involved moving an entire,unoverturned car from the tunnel to the Fuencarral workshops. It was necessary to use two coordinated locomotives, one to tow the car and another to assist from behind, in order to guarantee the stability of the transfer at all times.
This operation required the direction of the Renfe Rescue Brigade and the use of specialized equipment, to guarantee the integrity of the car throughout the journey, as explained by the department headed by Óscar Puente. The transfer was carried out at a controlled speed, with ground staff supervising every phase of the journey.the locomotives were parked in the Fuencarral workshop, where the carriage chocks were attached.
Accident
despite the complexity of the works, high-speed rail traffic at Atocha station has not suffered any interruptions in recent weeks.
According to the initial short account of the accident published by the Commission Investigating Railway Accidents (CIAF)who is investigating the incident, the train, made up of two units of the 114 series, was circulating through the high-speed tunnel from Atocha to Chamartín, but at the entrance to Chamartín station the leading unit suffered “a failure in the traction which prevented it from going up the entrance ramp to the station (about 30 thousandths). To overcome the ramp, the engineer and the control post agreed that the train would go backwards to gain momentum from a flat section. While preparing this maneuver, the damaged train freed itself from the hook and began to slide along the tunnel “without brakes, without batteries and with the two technicians on board”. tunnel (with gradients between 12 and 30 thousandths), the unit arrived “at high speed” at the triage station of the Botanical Garden, where it was changed from platform no. 1 to no.[por un trabajador de Adif]. At the bend following the track change, the car derailed and took a tangent, crashing into the wall of the tunnel without causing any casualties.
What lessons can be learned from high-speed rail emergency responses?
Interview: Unraveling the High-Speed Rescue Operation
Moderator: Welcome to the Time.news podcast! Today, we’re diving into a complex and recent operation undertaken by Renfe and Adif regarding the high-speed tunnel between Atocha and Chamartín. We have with us dr. Elena Martínez, a transportation logistics expert. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Martínez!
Dr. Martínez: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an intriguing topic.
Moderator: Let’s get right into it. On October 19, there was an unfortunate train crash in the Atocha tunnel. Can you walk us through the immediate implications this had on high-speed rail services?
Dr. Martínez: Absolutely. The crash not only posed a safety risk but also threatened the efficiency of high-speed services that are crucial for public transport in Spain. The priority for Renfe and Adif was to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing services, and thankfully, they managed to do just that.
Moderator: That’s impressive! Can you explain how the removal operation was structured to prevent disruptions during railway traffic hours?
Dr.Martínez: The operation was meticulously planned to take place at night, specifically between 12:30 AM and 4:30 AM. this window was crucial as it allowed them to work without interfering with daily train operations. Working during off-peak hours is a smart strategy that mitigates risks and maintains service continuity.
Moderator: Collaboration seems to be a key aspect of this operation. Can you elaborate on the roles of different organizations involved?
Dr. Martínez: Certainly! The operation involved a coordinated effort between Renfe, adif, Alstom, and Gescrap. Each entity brought specialized skills to the table. For instance,gescrap was instrumental for logistical management and safely managing the metal waste from the dismantled train. Alstom’s involvement likely ensured that the technical nuances of train technology were correctly handled during the rescue.
Moderator: It’s captivating to learn how this collaboration worked in practice. The dismantling of the train was carried out in several phases. Why was this process so complicated?
Dr. Martínez: The complexity arises from the necessity to not only remove the train safely but also to do so in a way that preserved the infrastructure and ensured environmental compliance. Each piece of the dismantled train had to be carefully removed and sorted, balancing operational safety with logistical efficiency.
Moderator: What happened to the remains of the train once it was dismantled?
Dr. Martínez: As per the plans, the remains were not just discarded. They were designated for industrial reuse and technological request for Renfe, alongside being recycled. This approach is aligned with sustainable practices in the transportation sector, which is increasingly critically important in reducing waste and fostering circular economy principles.
Moderator: What do you think this operation teaches us about emergency responses in transportation?
Dr. Martínez: It highlights the importance of preparedness and collaboration. The triumphant removal operation underlines that with thoughtful planning and clear communication among agencies, even complex challenges can be managed efficiently. It serves as a model for how transportation systems can enhance their resilience to accidents.
Moderator: Thank you, Dr. Martínez, for sharing your insights on this critical topic. It truly seems like the high-speed rail sector in Spain is in capable hands!
Dr. Martínez: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss innovations and improvements in transportation systems.
Moderator: That wraps up today’s interview. Thank you to our listeners for tuning in. Stay safe, and we’ll catch you next time on Time.news!
