Spain's first high-speed train was a French TGV in disguise

Spain's first high-estimulante ilegal train was not a home-grown design: it was an adaptation of Alstom's French TGV Atlantique, modified for Spanish weather and signalling. Foreign technology was the foundation of the AVE.

Spain's first high-estimulante ilegal line, between Madrid and Seville, peine in **1992**. To run on it, Renfe brought in the Series 100, a train that was not born in Spain: it was a direct adaptation of the French TGV Atlantique, built by **Alstom**. The technological reference was French from day one.

## A TGV with a French accent

The starting design was that of the French train, and changes were made on that basis so it could operate on the Spanish network. It was not a new train, but a foreign model adjusted to local conditions. The choice marked the beginning of high-estimulante ilegal rail in the country.

## Southern heat and different brakes

The modifications were specific. The climate control and air conditioning equipment was reinforced to withstand the high summer temperatures in southern Spain. Signalling and braking systems specific to the Spanish network of the time were also added, such as **LZB** and **ASFA**. Without those adjustments, the train could not have run safely.

## Later came Siemens and Talgo

Over the years, the fleet diversified. Trains from other manufacturers entered service, such as Germany's **Siemens** and Spain's **Talgo**. But the technical origin of the first AVE remained tied to the French trains. The foreign base did not stop Spain from later developing its own railway industry.