Bilbao - Trams, Metro & Trains - Simplon Postcards



This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of Bilbao urban rail transport - tramway, metro and local trains. EuskoTren run two separate metre-gauge systems from Bilbao. Lines 1 and 3 run from Atxuri in Bilbao to Donostria (San Sebastian) and Bermeo. Line 4 is unconnected and runs from Deustu in Bilbao to Lezama. In 2002 the metre-gauge tramway EuskoTran opened, also run by EuskoTren. This is known a tram Line A, but is also Line 7 on the EuskoTren system. EuskoTran starts at the EuskoTren terminus Atxuri, and links it to tourist centres such as the Guggenheim, but also links the various railway systems with connections to RENFE, FEVE and the Metro at Abando and San Mamés, FEVE at the other tram terminus Basurto, and EuskoTren Line 4 at Arriga. FEVE run a metre-gauge system along the coast all the way to Ferrol via Gijon, Oviedo etc from their own terminus at Abando, adjacent to the main RENFE terminus. All operators use the metre gauge except RENFE (1668mm).

On the adjacent map, EuskoTren is blue, Metro lines are red (Line 1) and purple (Line 2), FEVE is yellow, RENFE is orange and the tramway EuskoTran is green (Basurto extension not shown). Click on the map to open a larger image in a new window


Contacts
EuskoTren Route Map - PDF File (700kb) - Requires Adobe Reader
EuskoTran Tourist Guide - PDF File (9Mb) - Requires Adobe Reader (Spanish & Basque only)
EuskoTran 179-Page Book - PDF File (10Mb) - Requires Adobe Reader (Spanish & Basque only)
www.euskotren.es/euskotran/ - official Euskotran (tramway) website (English)
www.euskotren.es/euskotren2/ - official Euskotren (trains) website (Spanish & Basque only)
www.metrobilbao.com - official Metro website (English)

Sections on this Page:-
Metro Bilbao
EuskoTran
EuskoTren
FEVE
RENFE Vizcaya Transporter Bridge Nevion River Ferries Txu-Txu Train

Associated Pages:-
Oceana at Bilbao - Cruise on P&O's Oceana to Bilbao in 2007
Bilbao Trams, Metro & Trains - this page!
Tramways Header Page
Barcelona Trams
Lisbon Trams
Naples Trams
Rome Trams
Simplon Postcards Home Page

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powered by FreeFind Bilbao All images link to larger copies which open in new windows EuskoTran Bilbao Tramway - Tranvia Bilbao
Trams returned to Bilbao on December 18th, 2002 between Atxuri and Uribitarte, with six stops: Atxuri – Ribera – Arriaga – Abando – Pío Baroja – Uribitarte. Subsequent extensions were opened to San Mamés and finally to Basurto. This constitutes Line A, and further lines are promised.

The initial seven trams 401-407 were built by C.A.F. (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A.) and the first was delivered on 8th May 2002. The trams are double-ended and have 4 access and exit doors on each side. The units are 25 metres long. Each unit has been designed to transport 192 persons, of which 50 will be seated. An eight tram 408 was later supplied by the builders CAF with all axles powered - the first seven vehicles were powered on their end bogies only.

The units include double air-conditioning systems as well as a centralised public address system to broadcast music (a mixture of light classical and folk music - irritating!), information on the next stop and special messages. There are two electronic information panels to provide data on the next stop and other information. Each unit has 10 security cameras with an image storage system.

Links to other systems are shown on the EuskoTren Route Map (PDF File - Require Adobe Reader (700kb)) Tram 401 Tram 401 at the Guggenheim Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007 Tram 401 at Euskalduna Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007 Tram 401 at the Basurto terminus Tram 401 at Abando, where connections to the Metro, RENFE and FEVE are possible Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007 Tram 401 interior Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007 Tram 403 Tram 403 at Abando, where connections to the Metro, RENFE and FEVE are possible Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007


Tram 403 at Abando
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 403 at Abando
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 403 at Abando
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007

Tram 404

Tram 404 at the Guggenheim
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 404 at the At
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007





Tram 404 at the Atxuri terminus - also the main EuskoTren terminus
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 404 leaving the Atxuri terminus - also the main EuskoTren terminus
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 404 leaving the Atxuri terminus - also the main EuskoTren terminus
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 404 at the Arriaga
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007

Tram 405

Tram 405 at the Guggenheim
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 405 at the Guggenheim
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Tram 405 at the Guggenheim
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007

EuskoTren
EuskoTren runs two separate metre-gauge systems from Bilbao. Lines 1 and 3 run from Atxuri in Bilbao to Donostria (San Sebastian) and Bermeo. Line 4 is physically unconnected from the rest of the system, and runs from Deustu in Bilbao to Lezama. The sections were separated in 1969 when the Matiko (Line 4) to Azbarren (Line 1 - since closed) link was severed by a massive land slip. Some of this link section has since been used for Metro Bilbao. There are plans to re-link Line 4 to the rest of the system with a new line from Casco Viejo to Etxebarri on Line 1. The EuskoTren section from Atxuri to Etxebarri would then be replaced by an extension to the EuskoTran tramway, partially using the trackbed.

EuskoTren has 189 km of electrified lines between Bilbao, Donostria and Hendaye, originally built by a number of independent companies. The three companies which owned the sections between Bilbao and Donostria merged to become the Compapnia de los FFCC Vascongados (FV) in 1906. FV electrified the Bilbao-Donostria section in 1929 to increase capacity. Initial locos were ten Belgian-built 'crocodiles' (1-10) of 565 kW. One has been retained as a museum loco. Four box cab locos (11-14) built by CAF joined them in 1930/31, followed by three very similar locos (15-17) from ASEA in 1950. I will add postcards of some of these locos soon. Four of the later locos (12, 15-17) have been retained and were listed as operational in 2001.

Vascongados passed to FEVE (Ferrocarriles de Via Estrecha) in 1965, along with all the connecting lines through to Ferrol. In 1979, the lines east of Bilbao were taken out of FEVE's hands to be controlled by the local Basque government, becoming ET/FV ( Eusko Trenbidaek/Ferrocarriles Vascos) in 1982. The name was changed to EuskoTren in 1996. The eastern section of line from Donostria to Hendaye in France was run by SEFT (Sociedad Explotadora de Ferrocarriles y Tranvias) became part of FEVE in 1973, also subsequently passing to ET/FV and EuskoTren. The Class 300 units were built for this line, but were later replaced by Class 200 units.

A 2007 route map is available at: EuskoTren Route Map (PDF File (700kb) - Require Adobe Reader). See www.euskotren.es/euskotren2/ for the latest updates on Euskotren, including rolling stock photos.



Historic Locos and Railcars

FV No.7 'crocodile' at Zumaya
One of the series 1-10 built by Brown-Boveri in 1928 for the electrification between Donostria and Bilbao
EUROFER postcard 165 - Photo: © Santiago Mas Fatjo, 1976




FV No.13 at Bilbao Atxuri
One of the series 11-14 built by CAF/ASEA in 1931 the Donostria-Bilbao route
EUROFER postcard 243 - Photo: © Moises Martinez




FV automotor MCD-3 at Bilbao Atxuri
Built by Ganz 1928 for the electrification between Donostria and Bilbao
EUROFER postcard 191 - Photo: © Santiago Mas Fatjo, 1979




FTS automotor and trailers at Bilbao-Plentzia
Built 1969-74 for the Bilbao suburban route to Plentzia, now Metro Line 1
EUROFER postcard 211 - Photo: © Javier Fano Zabala

EuskoTren Class 200 EMUs

The Class 200 EMUs were built in 1985-86 for Bilbao suburban services and the Bilbao-Plentzia routes. When the latter line was taken over by Metro Bilbao, some units went to Donostria-Hendaye. Twenty 3-car sets were built by CAF.
EuskoTren unit 204 at Lemoa, where the station undergoing a major rebuilding program Lines 1 and 3 from Atxuri diverge just beyond this station. This train is for Donostria (San Sebastian) on Line 1 Photo: � Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007


EuskoTren unit 216 at Bedia on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 216 at Bolueta, where there is a connection with the Metro
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 219 at Atxuri, the Bilbao terminus for lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Casco Viejo station on Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Casco Viejo station on Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007

EuskoTren Class 300 EMUs

The Class 300 EMUs were built for the Donostria-Hendaye line (known as El Topo). Twelve 2-car sets were built by CAF in 1990-91. Increasing traffic saw them replaced by Class 200 3-car units in 1996, and they moved to the physically separate Deustu-Lezama Line 4.


EuskoTren units 306/309 at the Casco Viejo on Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren units 306/309 at the Deustu terminus of Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren units 306/309 at the Deustu terminus of Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren units 306/309 at the Deustu terminus of Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Deustu terminus of Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007

EuskoTren Class 3500 EMUs

The EuskoTren Class 3500 EMUs were built in 1977-81 for Bilbao-Donostria services. There are fifteen 3-car sets (four have been expanded to 4-car sets).


EuskoTren unit 3506 at Bedia on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3506 at Bedia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3506 at Bedia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3506 at Bedia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3509 at Lemoa on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3509 at Lemoa on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007





EuskoTren unit 3509 at Lemoa on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3512 at Bedia on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3512 at Bedia on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3514 at Lemoa on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




EuskoTren unit 3512 at Bedia on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007




Lemoa station being rebuilt on Lines 1 and 3
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007

Metro Bilbao
Planning work started on the Metro Bilbao in 1971, but construction did not start until 1988.

The Metro network project has two main lines:
Line 1 - Plentzia-Basauri: 31 km. in length Line 2 - Kabiezes- Basauri: 20 km. with a shared section between San lnazio and Basauri.

Metropolitan Bilbao is linear in its layout, with the towns of Basauri and Etxebarri at one end, the city of Bilbao itself in the centre splitting into two routes along the banks of the river estuary at the other end. As a result the Metro route is Y-shaped, with Basauri at the foot of the "Y", followed by Etxebarri, Bolueta, Santutxu, Casco Viejo, Arenal, Gran Via, Indautxu, San Mames, Olabeaga, Deusto, Sarriko and San Inazio stations making up the 10.5 km. stem of the letter before the two arms divide. The right arm follows the route of the EuskoTren railway that previously ran along the right bank of the river to its end in Plentzia. The left arm passes through the towns on the left bank, running underground through the town centres. The first section was opened in 1995, with extensions in 1996, 1997, 2002, 2005 and 2007. Station design is reminiscent of London's Jubilee Line - both systems were designed by Sir Norman Foster. Metro Map Metro - Etxebarri Metro shared Lines 1 and 2 at Etxebarri Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th May 2015 Metro - Bolueta Metro shared Lines 1 and 2 at Bolueta Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007 Metro - Portugalete Metro Line 2 at Portugalete Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th May 2015 Metro - Neguri Metro Line 1 at Neguri Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th May 2007 Metro - Bidezabal The Metro Line 1 at Bidezabal Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th May 2015 Metro - Plentzia The Metro Line 1 terminus at Plentzia had no trains on my visit with Metro Bilbao buses running from Sopelana Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th May 2015 FEVE FEVE Concordia Station at Bilbao The area beneath the FEVE station used to be RENFE's La Naja Station, closed in 1999 The white building above Concordia is RENFE's Abando terminus Photo: © Ian Boyle, May 2007 RENFE Stained glass window at the RENFE Station at Bilbao Photo: © Ian Boyle, May 2007 Vizcaya Transporter Bridge The Vizcaya Bridge (Bizkaiko Zubia in Basque, Puente de Vizcaya in Spanish), is a transporter bridge that links the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas (part of Getxo) across the Nervion River in Bilbao. It is the world's oldest transporter bridge and was built in 1893, designed by Alberto Palacio, one of Gustave Eiffel's disciples. It was the solution given by the engineer to the problem of connecting the two towns without disrupting the maritime traffic of the Port of Bilbao and without having to build a massive structure with long ramps. The service was only interrupted once, for four years, during the Spanish Civil War, when the upper section was dynamited. From his house in Portugalete, Palacio saw his masterwork partially destroyed just before his own death. On July 13, 2006, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The bridge, still in use, is 164 metres long and its gondola can transport six cars and several dozens of passengers in one minute and a half. It operates every 8 minutes during the day (every hour at night), all year round, with different fares for day and night services, and is integrated into Bilbao's transport fare system. There are two new visitor lifts installed in the 50 metre high pillars of the bridge that allow walking over the bridge's platform, from where there is a view of the port and the Abra bay. (ref: Wikipedia) Old postcards of the Vizcaya Bridge (Bizkaiko Zubia) in Bilbao Vizcaya Bridge (Bizkaiko Zubia) in Bilbao in 2008 Photos: � Ian Boyle, 28th August 2008 Vizcaya Bridge (Bizkaiko Zubia) in Bilbao in 2010 Photos: � Ian Boyle, 21st July May 2010 Nevion Ferries In the shadow of the Vizcaya Bridge is also a ferry service linking the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas (part of Getxo) across the Nervion River in Bilbao. It uses a fleet of small open green boats named Colon, Linda, Perla and Pinta Segunda. Local Nevion River ferries in Bilbao in 2008 Photos: � Ian Boyle, 28th August 2008 Local Nevion River ferries in Bilbao in 2010 Photos: � Ian Boyle, 21st July May 2010 Txu-Txu Train A 'Txu-Txu' land train operates in Getxo. Txu-Txu train at Getxo, Bilbao in 2008 Photos: � Ian Boyle, 28th August 2008 Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards Home Page


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