Alstom has presented the first of ten electric Coradia Stream trains destined to connect Barcelona city centre with El Prat Airport.
The trains were presented by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa; the Catalan Minister for Territory, Sílvia Paneque i Sureda; the President of Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), Carles Ruiz Novella; and the President of Alstom Spain and Portugal, Leopoldo Maestu Miedes.
Scheduled to begin operation between late 2026 and early 20207; the new trains will be operated by FGC Mobilitat, and will link the city centre with both terminals of Barcelona-El Prat Airport, with services set to run every fifteen minutes.
The new line is currently under construction, and will span a total of 22.7 kilometres and include nine stations: Sant Andreu, Sagrera, El Clot, Passeig de Gràcia, Sants, Bellvitge, El Prat, Airport T-2, and Airport T-1.
Static and dynamic tests are now being carried out at Alstom’s industrial facility in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, where the trains have also been developed and manufactured. Validation tests including traction, braking, dynamic behaviour, signalling, and telecommunications.
The new trains have been specifically designed for airport travel, encompassing larger amounts of luggage space and wider corridors to allow for greater accessibility. Each five-car train will feature advanced signalling, safety and passenger information systems
Each of the trains will feature 10 doors on each side (20 in total), with 202 fixed seats allowing for the transportation of up to 656 passengers. 20 panoramic screens will display service information (four per car), and nine panoramic screens will display airport information including data on flight departures and arrivals.
The trains will also be equipped with 12 exterior LED screens, two in the front (located at the top of each car) and 10 side screens. Each unit will be fully accessible, with step-free access from the platform and an automatic ramp at the doors by the reduced mobility section.
Two reserved spaces will be found onboard for those with reduced mobility, as well as adapted toilets and multifunctional spaces for bicycles and trolleys. The PRM area will be found in the second car, which will also be where the accessible toilet is located.
Each of the trains has been developed with Alstom’s eco-design principles, which include the careful selection of raw materials, traction systems, energy efficiency and potential for recyclability at the end of its life.
Alstom also began construction on its new depot last April, which is located on the same site as the Santa Perpètua de Mogoda factory. The 3,500m² will handle all maintenance of the trains for up to 15 years, and will feature two maintenance tracks, auxiliary workshops, a warehouse, workers’ quarters and project offices. Completion of the depot is expected by spring 2026.
