Adif Warned of Eight Technical Issues in Adamuz Before Train Accident

In recent months, the Spanish railway operator Adif reported at least eight technical issues on the high-speed rail line connecting Adamuz and Villanueva de Córdoba. These incidents, most concerning signaling, also included problems with the catenary and infrastructure. The Senate addressed these issues in the summer, following queries from the Popular Party regarding potential safety failures.

Signaling Failures Acknowledged by Government

In response to the Senate’s inquiry, the government acknowledged two significant technical incidents affecting signal systems. The first occurred at the El Valle viaduct, attributed to high temperatures and vibrations caused by train traffic. Adif’s specialized maintenance team resolved the issue during routine maintenance.

The second incident involved a relay card, deemed crucial for the proper functioning of the location system. The relay card was replaced, restoring the system’s operability. The Ministry of Transport assured that safety conditions for train operations were always upheld.

Infrastructure Maintenance and Recent Investments

Four service providers maintain the high-speed rail line: one focuses on track infrastructure, another on electrification, a third on safety systems, and the last on surrounding vegetation control. Minister of Transport Óscar Puente remarked on the “strange circumstances” surrounding a recent serious accident where an Iryo train derailed.

This train, only three years old, derailed on a straight part of the track. The Adamuz point is part of the Madrid-Sevilla line, which underwent a €700 million upgrade, including the renovation of nine viaducts through Sierra Morena, completed in October 2023. Upcoming upgrades to signaling and safety systems are scheduled to be finalized by May 2024. One major upgrade involves modernizing 63 track switches on the Madrid-Andalusia corridor, with the accident occurring at one of Adamuz’s track switches.

Reported Technical Issues in the Last Year

Over the past year, Adif has shared updates on various issues affecting the Adamuz area:

• April 14, 2023: Catenary problems caused delays between Adamuz and Alcolea.
• May 22, 2023: Signaling issues caused further delays on the Madrid-Andalusia route.
• June 5, 2023: Recurrent signaling failures reported, affecting high-speed train schedules.
• September 1, 2023: Another signaling problem noted.
• October 26, 2023: An infrastructure issue on the Adamuz (Standard Gauge) line caused delays.
• December 23, 2023: A malfunction of a switch created additional delays between Adamuz and Córdoba.

The Madrid-Sevilla line stands out as the oldest in the high-speed rail network, having commenced operations in 1992. Since the liberalization of rail services in 2019, its traffic has greatly increased, introducing competitive services to the public operator Renfe.

As railway safety continues to be a concern, the situation surrounding the recent train accident in Adamuz raises questions about the effectiveness of ongoing maintenance and operational integrity.