iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

🚆🇩🇪 Exploring more of Germany with the Deutschland-Ticket! I begin in Hamburg-Harburg, where I’m taking this regional train to Hannover Hbf. It’s worked by a Coradia LINT 41 and runs along the Heidebahn, a single-track, mostly unelectrified line that crosses the Lüneburg Heath.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

🚆🎥 It’s my first time trying this kind of video! Here are some highlights from InnoTrans 2026 🇩🇪 that I wanted to share with you. I had such a great time over those few days, exploring the latest innovations in the rail industry and meeting so many interesting people!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

🚇🇩🇪 I went on a tour of the Berlin U-Bahn in an open-roofed train! It departs from Deutsche Oper and takes you through the underground tunnels for around two hours, offering insights into the history, stations and infrastructure. It’s an unusual experience that I’d recommend!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

🚄🇪🇸 I took the #AVE3941 from Sevilla-Santa Justa to Barcelona-Sants, worked by an S-112. It couples with the train from Málaga-María Zambrano at Córdoba-Julio Anguita. This service doesn’t stop in Madrid, as it uses a bypass route, and covers the 1,079 km journey in 6 h 43 min.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🚆🇪🇸 I’m travelling again on a S-449, but this time from Cádiz to Sevilla-Santa Justa with the #MD13393. The 153 km journey takes around 1 hr 37 mins, stopping at El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez de la Frontera. It’s a very busy route, and almost all trains are usually full.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

🚊🇪🇸 The Trambahía is a tram-train system that serves the Bay of Cádiz and connects Chiclana, San Fernando, Puerto Real and Cádiz. It consists of a single line operated by @renfeoperadora.bsky.social, which is 24 km long and has 21 stations, combining features of a tramway and a conventional railway.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

🚆🇪🇸 I departed from Madrid-Chamartín in the morning with the #MD18030, arriving in Jaén in the early afternoon. This service is worked by an S-449, covering the 379 km route in 4 hrs 24 mins, but it was 50 mins late. The line will soon be interrupted for infrastructure works.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

🚆🇪🇸 This is one of the least frequent regional services in Spain, with only three trains per week between Cáceres and Valencia de Alcántara. The journey is about 88 km long and takes 1 hr 29 min. This line was also used for connections to Lisbon before CP closed its section.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

🚄🇪🇸 I last travelled with OUIGO España in 2022 after a disappointing experience. However, I decided to give it another try and it changed my mind! I took the #OUIGO6420 from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha in an XL seat. The journey was pleasant, punctual and good value.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

🚆🇫🇷 Taking the #IC14142 from Hendaye to Toulouse-Matabiau, the only direct service between these destinations. For this journey, you would normally have to change trains at Bayonne. I travelled first class which offers a less crowded space, extra room and reclining seats.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

🚆🛤️ The #DonostiakoAldiriak network consists of a single line connecting Irun, Donostia and Brinkola. The route is 80.5 km long and serves 30 stations. There’s a planned extension to Hendaye using the existing tracks, which were due to be converted to standard gauge.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

🚆🇪🇸 This has to be one of the longest train journeys in Spain! I went from Madrid-Príncipe Pío to San Sebastián-Donostia with the #MD18061, which takes about 7 hrs 40 mins to complete its 621 km route. It used to continue to Irun, but now only commuter trains cover that section.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

🚄🇪🇸 I travelled from Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha with the #AVE3082 in Prémium, worked by an AVE S-100. These were the first high-speed trains to enter service in Spain and, after more than three decades, they continue to be impressively comfortable and reliable!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

🚂🏔️ This is a bit different from what I usually post. I stayed at Canfranc Estación, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, and it really deserves a special mention. It’s located in the beautifully restored railway station, which was inaugurated in 1928 and is a real piece of history!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

🚆🇪🇸 I had driven to Canfranc before, taking photos along the line, but this was the first time I went by train. It really gives you a different perspective! I departed from Zaragoza-Delicias on the #R15642 and had to change to a shorter train at Huesca, both S-594 diesel units.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

🚊🇩🇪 Exploring the tramway network of Berlin, which offers insight into the city’s historical development and explains its wider presence in the east. It’s the third-largest system in the world, with 22 lines, over 800 stops, and a route length of 193 km.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

🚇🇩🇪 The Berlin U-Bahn is the most used transport system in the city. Its last major extension was the section from Alexanderplatz to Brandenburger Tor of line U5. It opened in 2020 and was merged with the segment to Hauptbahnhof, making it 26 stations and 22 km in total.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

🚆🇩🇪 The latest generation of Berlin S-Bahn trains are the BR 483/484, built by Siemens and Stadler. They entered service in 2021 and operate on the ringbahn and south-eastern lines. In total, 106 units were delivered in two and four-car versions, allowing more flexible consists.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

🚆🇩🇪 In Berlin, one of the most important transport systems is the S-Bahn network, with 15 lines and 168 stations. It covers 340 km in total, and its distinctive colours, in addition to third-rail electrification, differentiate it from other commuter rail services in Germany.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

🚆🇩🇪 Last stretch of this journey between Hamburg and Berlin by regional train: with the #RE4367 from Rostock Hbf to Berlin Südkreuz, also on a double-decker push–pull trainset. This service operated by DB Regio is integrated as line #RE5 in VBB network with a 2-hourly frequency.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

🚆🇩🇪 Next, I take the #RE4333 from Bad Kleinen to Rostock Hbf, again on board doppelstockwagen, but this time hauled by a BR 146 electric locomotive. The #RE1 line is also operated by DB Regio Nordost and is part of the Hanse-Express, with hourly trains between the two cities.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

🚆🇩🇪 I change to the #RE56863 at Lübeck Hbf and continue to Bad Kleinen. This is an #RE2 service, operated by DB Regio Nordost. The train is hauled by a BR 218 diesel-hydraulic locomotive from 1976 and also has 4th-gen doppelstockwagen, a classic consist on these regional lines!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

🚆🇩🇪 Taking the #RE11422 from Hamburg Hbf to Lübeck Hbf. The route is integrated as line #RE8 in the NAH SH network and is operated by DB Regio with Stadler KISS units. The journey takes 46min, covering 63km. This train has an impressive capacity, in triple formation and 12 cars!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

🚆🇪🇸 Heading back to Barcelona-Sants from València-Estació del Nord with the #IC1382 in Elige Confort. It’s not common to travel on loco-hauled trains in Spain, but this service, which runs entirely on the conventional line, is an exception, worked by an S-252 and two Talgo VI!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

It’s 1 hour 40 minutes end to end, and with those seats! 😅

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

🚇🇪🇸 Exploring the #MetroValencia network, which has the longest metro line in Spain! It originated from the integration of several narrow-gauge lines until 1988, when it was transferred to #FGV and later reintroduced as Line 1, with a total lenght of 70 km and 40 stations.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

🚄🇪🇸 Travelling with the #AVL5214 from Madrid-Chamartín to València-Joaquín Sorolla, the last #AVLO service of the day. This is the low-cost product of #Renfe, with a single class in a 3+2 seating layout. The journey takes 2h 5min, stopping at every station, and tickets from €7.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

🚂🍓 The #TrenDeLaFresa is a historic train that runs between Madrid and Aranjuez, recreating the journey from the early days of this line, which is celebrating 175 years! There are different routes for this trip, including guided tours and a boat ride. It is a unique experience!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

🚄💨 From Barcelona-Sants to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha with the #AVE3190 in Prémium. The journey on this direct service is now 3h 2min because of speed restrictions. I had dinner included in my ticket and I chose the meat option, consisting of chicken stew, salad and fruit.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

🚋🏖️ In Sóller, you can change to the tram that connects the town with the port. The line opened in 1913 as an extension of the railway and is 4.7 km long. It’s the only first-generation tramway in Spain and features unique tramcars!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

🚃⛰️ I travelled on the Ferrocarril de Sóller, a historic railway that connects Palma with Sóller and has changed little since its early days. This line opened in 1912 and uses a 3-foot gauge. The journey takes about an hour and covers a 27 km route offering impressive views!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

🚆🇪🇸 There’s an unusual station on the Cercanías València network: Platja i Grau de Gandia is part of a short branch that allows freight trains to reach the port area and also serves as a terminus of line C1, with just two trains per day at weekends in the off-season!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

🚄💨 From today, a special service is running between Barcelona-Sants and Lleida-Pirineus to increase capacity on the route, with tickets offered at no cost. This has also meant the return of the #Avril sets to this high-speed line, which were withdrawn due to technical issues.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

🚆🇪🇸 From Bilbao-La Concordia to León with the #R71876, a 322 km journey taking 7h 49min. This route is part of the Ferrocarril de La Robla, originally built for coal traffic. There’s just one daily service between these cities and you need to change trains twice during the trip.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

🚆📷 The line E3 of #Euskotren was also still pending for me! It runs between Kukullaga-Etxebarri and Lezama, serving 16 stations. The route is 19 km long and shares its initial section with line L3, allowing a weekday frequency of 7.5′ along this stretch and 15′ on the rest.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

🚆🌊 This was one of the #Euskotren lines I hadn’t yet travelled, and what a view! The E4 is a commuter service that connects Matiko-Bilbao and Bermeo, with 25 stations over 52 km. The landscape becomes distinctly maritime at Mundaka, where the train runs along the coastline.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

As 2025 is coming to an end, it’s time for a #RailReview! Here are some facts about this year: 🚄 Trips: 409 📏 Distance: +39.700 km 🌍 Countries visited: 16 📍 Longest journey: Wien - București I’m very much looking forward to more adventures on the rails! 🎉

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

🚆🛤️ In Bilbao, I had the opportunity to visit the Centro de Gestión de Operaciones (CGO) of #Renfe. From here they coordinate services, respond to disruptions and manage passenger information for the Cercanías Bilbao and Cercanías San Sebastián networks. It was very interesting!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

🚄🇪🇸 Taking the #ALVIA438 from Barcelona-Sants to Bilbao-Abando in Elige Confort. This service is worked by an S-120, which features variable gauge, as it runs on the high-speed line until past Zaragoza-Delicias. The journey is around 6h 54min, covering a route of 650 km.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

🚆🇹🇷 I crossed from Asia to Europe with the #Marmaray! This suburban rail system connects Halkalı and Gebze through a tunnel under the Bosphorus Strait. The line is 76.6 km in total, with its last section completed in 2019, and it’s operated exclusively by TCDD E32000 trains.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

🚄🇹🇷 Heading back to Istanbul Söğütlüçeşme from Ankara on the #YHT, but this time with an HT65000. These trains built by CAF are based on Renfe S-120 and have a maximum speed of 250 km/h. I travelled in business class, which features comfortable seats and includes refreshments!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

🚄🇹🇷 The last train of my trip! Travelling from Halkalı to Ankara with the #YHT, worked by a Velaro TR. This high-speed service crosses from Europe to Asia through a tunnel under the Bosphorus. The ticket for this 5h 16min journey was ₺1,500 in a business compartment.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

🚆🌙 This has definitely been the highlight of the trip, and it was my longest train journey so far! I travelled from București Nord 🇷🇴 to Halkalı 🇹🇷 with the Bosphorus Express, covering 789km in 23h 45min. It’s basically a couchette coupled to other trains, quite an experience!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

🚆🇷🇴 Heading back to București Nord from Brașov, this time on the #R3030 operated by #CFRcălători. The journey with this train is slightly longer because it serves many smaller villages. I travelled in first class in these double-deck carriages and paid 51.25 lei for the ticket.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

🚆🇷🇴 From București Nord to Brașov with the #IR11531. This service of the open-access operator Astra Trans Carpatic is worked by an IC2 DMU that was originally built for Denmark. There is only second class on this 2h 28min journey, and the ticket costs just 68.5 lei.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

🚆🌙 The #Dacia departs Wien Hbf 🇦🇹 in the evening and arrives at București Nord 🇷🇴 the next afternoon. The journey with this night train is about 19h 46min, covering a route of approximately 1,112km. I travelled in a single bed sleeper 🛏️ featuring a washbasin and lots of space!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

🚄🇦🇹 I’m trying #WESTbahn for the first time! This open-access operator launched services in 2011, using Stadler KISS trains. I took the #WB917 from Salzburg Hbf to Wien Westbahnhof in first class, which included a complimentary refreshing towel, a bottle of water and biscuits.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

🚆🇦🇹 Leaving Graz Hbf with the #IC512 bound for Salzburg Hbf. The consist is hauled by an ÖBB 1144 and includes only one first class carriage with very few seats, as half of it is a bike compartment. There’s also a trolley service offering snacks and drinks during the journey.

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

🚆🇨🇭 The #Transalpin is a classic of train travel in Europe! I took the #EC163 between Zürich HB and Graz Hbf 🇦🇹 with a seat in the panoramic car. This journey through the Austrian Alps 🏔️ is 9h 34min, a great opportunity to enjoy the stunning views and visit the dining car ☕🥐!

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Marcos Castro @marcostrain.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

🚄💨 This is my first trip with #TGVLyria! I travelled from Paris-Gare de Lyon 🇫🇷 to Zürich HB 🇨🇭 on the #TGV9213 in first class. For some reason, this train goes via Strasbourg, making the journey 5h 34min. I had lunch from #LeBistrot, and ordered the menu “en-cas” with a quiche.

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