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Costa Europa
Mediterrainean Cruise - March 2008
 
Page 7: 17th March: Alicante
 
 
 
This page is one of a series showing a Mediterrainean cruise on Costa Europa in 2008. There is also a full history of Costa Europa.
 
Cruise Itinerary:- Savona - Sea Day - Malaga - Cádiz - Lisbon - Gibraltar - Alicante - Barcelona - Savona
 
Alicante seemed to offer little of interest apart from a castle, so we devoted our whole time there to the Alicante TRAM (plus lunch in a seafront fish restaurant in Creueta). The tram system was technically interesting, but largely passes through the hideous coastal developments. We abandonned plans to extend the journey by diesel to the infamous Benidorm in favour of the leisurely lunch. Alicante has built a new cruise terminal and is becoming an increasingly common cruise destination. I suspect they have dreams of becoming an embarkation port too as the Spanish cruise industry expands. Alicante was also the only port which provided a free shuttle bus from the ship to the port entrance.
 
The Alicante TRAM (TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante/TRAM Metropolità d'Alacant) operates in the city of Alicante and its surrounding area and is run by the FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana). It was inaugurated on 15th August 2003 replacing the previous narrow gauge diesel system between Alicante and El Campello. It has subsequently been extended to Creueta.
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Sections on this Page:-
Alicante
Alicante TRAM
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Cruise Itinerary:-
Tue March 11th Savona - Italy Depart 17:00
Wed March 12th Sea Day
Thu March 13th Malaga - Spain Arr: 13:00 Dep: 20:00
Fri March 14th Cádiz - Spain Arr: 07:00 Dep: 18:00
Sat March 15th Lisbon - Portugal: 08:00 Dep: 18:00
Sun March 16th Gibraltar - Arr: 14:00 Dep: 19:00
Mon March 17th Alicante - Spain Arr: 12:30 Dep: 19:00 - this page
Tue March 18th Barcelona - Spain Arr: 08:00 Dep: 13:00
Wed March 19th Savona - Italy Arr: 09:00
 
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Costa Europa
Mediterrainean Cruise - March 2008
 
Page 7: 17th March: Alacant
 
 
Alicante
 
Alicante seemed to offer little of interest apart from the castle so we devoted our whole time there to the Alicante TRAM (and lunch in a seafront fish restaurant in Creueta). The tram system was technically interesting, but passing through the hideous coastal developments was depressing. We abandonned plans to extend the journey by diesel to the infamous Benidorm in favour of the leisurely lunch. Alicante has built a new cruise terminal and is becoming an increasingly common cruise destination. I suspect they have dreams of becoming an embarkation port too as the Spanish cruise industry expands. Alicante was also the only port which provided a free shuttle bus from the ship to the port entrance.
 
 
Alicante castle from the sea
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Alicante
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Vision Submarina excursion boat passing the inspired architecture of Alicante seafront
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Alicante TRAM
 
A more detailed page on the Alicante TRAM will be added
 
The current network combines two tram routes using the city centre underground section (lines L1 and L3), plus a route operating wholly as a suburban surface tram line (line L4). The remaining local diesel service has been rebranded as line L9. The two underground routes currently operate as parallel single track operations betwen MARQ station and the city centre Mercado station, which opened on 10 May 2007.
 
Line L1 operates as a thirty minute frequency limited stop service to Creueta where it connects with diesel services on line L9
 
Line L3 runs at a thirty minute frequency as as a stopping service to El Campello with alternate trains extended to Venta Lanuza. Extra trains run at peak periods.
 
Line L4 runs from Alicante port (Puerta del Mar) passing through the site of the former FGV Railway station (La Marina) and terminating at Av. Naciones (Playa de San Juan);
 
Line L9 goes from Creueta along the coast to Denia, stopping at important tourist towns like Benidorm, Altea, Calpe. Services on this route are subject to disruption due to engineering works as the line is prepared for electrification.
 
The intention is that the underground section will be continued westward to Estació Multimodal serving the RENFE station (and a possible relocation of the bus station). There would be an intermediate city centre station at Plaza de los Luceros.
 
In the future, line L2, using the same underground stretch as lines L1 and L3, will connect the centre of Alicante with the university in San Vicente del Raspeig. Further expansion plans will see a link to the airport at El Altet.
 
 
Tram 4212 at Alicante port (Puerta del Mar)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram 4212 at Alicante port (Puerta del Mar)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram 4213 at La Isleta
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram 4213 at La Isleta
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram-train 4104 at La Isleta
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Class 2300 diesel set at Creueta
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram-train 4108 at Creueta
Temporary high platform for diesel trains on the right
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram 4213 at Lucentum
Lines 1 and 3 to the right - junction to eastbound Line 4 on the left - tram is on Line 4, which joins the opposite end of the station westbound
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram 4213 at Lucentum on Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Tram 4213 at Av.Naciones - current east terminus of Line 4
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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A substantial narrow gauge station remains at La Marina
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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The station building at La Marina is being refurbished.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Diesel unit 2510 at La Marina
www.railfaneurope.net lists these as refurbished class 2300 units - seems a very extensive rebuild!
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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Diesel units 1022/1030/1032 (ex-FEVE) at La Marina
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th March 2008
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