Happening Now
Spain welcomes Paris-Barcelona TGV, auctions off new “ghost airport”
December 11, 2013
Written By Ross Capon
Yet another important new high-speed rail service will begin Sunday, December 15. Twice-daily Paris-Barcelona through-trains will end a long history of changing trains at the international border. The running time will be six hours 25 minutes. The Financial Times reported that travelers starting from London St. Pancras will be able to leave at 9:31 AM and reach Barcelona within 10 hours 9 minutes.
Meanwhile, Spain is auctioning off a new-but-disused airport at Ciudad Real. Here’s the beginning of the Financial Times’ report:
For sale: airport in provincial Spain, good as new, with 4km runway and passenger terminal built for 10m travellers a year; includes visitor centre, vast industrial park and 50m control tower. Good motorway access and ample parking. Asking price: €100m.
The report calls the “infamous ghost airport” one of the ultimate symbols of Spain’s real estate bubble. This auction, viewed together with the TGV expansion, also arguably symbolizes a positive trend in Europe towards energy-efficient train travel.
Photo from deconcrete
"On behalf of Amtrak’s onboard service staff, I want to thank the Rail Passengers Association for honoring their hard work with this award. The past couple years have indeed been difficult for Amtrak onboard service staff – coping with furloughs and job insecurity, adapting to changing protocols and services, not to mention the unfortunate events such as a tragic derailment and a fatal shooting. Nevertheless, our dedicated members at Amtrak have handled these hurdles with the care, attention and diligence for which they’re known. We thank Rail Passengers for their acknowledgement of our members’ hard work and, as always, look forward to seeing you on the rails."
Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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