ALSA’s first EURO6000 in service

ALSA Rail‘s first EURO6000, the first of four on order from Stadler, via lessor Alpha Trains, is now in service. The other three will enter service in readiness for the summer.

The dual-voltage EURO6000s are deemed necessary above all in order to develop the freight market in Asturias. Hitherto, ALSA Rail has depended on its small fleet of 3 kV DC Class 269 electrics to move consignments of steel coil from the ArcelorMittal steelworks in Veriña/Trasoña (Gijón/Avilés) to clients in interior Spain. The Class 269s, based at Lugo de Llanera depot, between Oviedo and Gijón, are only able to access the rest of Spain via the original line over the Pajares pass, since the new high speed line through the 25 km base tunnel under the Cordillera Cantábrica is only electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz.

When in mid-2024 Renfe Mercancías decreed that all its freights to and from Asturias must use the base tunnel line, the operator then having acquired sufficient EURO6000s of its own to enable this, ALSA Rail decided it would be best to follow in the steps of the incumbent operator, just in case any restrictions were placed on other operators’ freights using the old line. Moreover, eliminating its own freight traffic from the latter route would enable ALSA Rail to develop its proposed series of tourist trains over this highly scenic route. These had a significantly successful inaugural season in 2024.