MADRID - METRO - SPAIN

Comunidad de Madrid . Spain

System

Spain's capital Madrid is situated right in the centre of the country and has over 3 million inhabitants, with some 5 million in the metropolitan area. In 2007, the Madrid Metro has become the second largest metro network in Europe after London (415km). In 2006, the total length was 227 km with 236 stations (counted separately for each line), but with the completion of the 2003-2007 expansion programme in spring of 2007 and another short extension, the total length of the network was 284 km with 283 stations (07/2008). This has since increased to approx. 292 km and 290 stations (03/2015). The Madrid Metro has the peculiar gauge of 1445 mm, all lines have overhead power supply, either by conventional tram type catenary or rigid overhead power rail. The Madrid Metro is operated on the left. The network can be divided into two separate networks, which are only compatible to a certain extent: - the small-profile network includes the older Lines 1-5 and R. Initially platforms were only built 60 m long, these were later extended on Line 1 (1960s) and 3 (2004-06), except for Line 5 which was built with 90 m long platforms from the start. Trains are 2.3 m wide. Most tunnels were excavated below ground by the so-called Madrid Method, a mining technique suitable for Madrid's soft soil. Most stations are located not deeper than 20 m below street level (except e.g. La Latina on Line 5 - 28 m) and boast a vaulted ceiling. The average station distance is 630 m. [Photo Logo Chamberí: Juan Carlos Zamorano] - the large-profile network includes the newer Lines 6-10 and Line 12 (MetroSur). Trains on these lines are 2.8 m wide and platforms were built approximately 115 m long. Many stations, especially on Lines 6 and 9, lie very deep (e.g. Cuatro Caminos - Line 6: 48 m, Avenida de América - Line 7: 36 m - Line 9: 44 m, Sainz de Baranda - Line 9: 43 m). Stations built since the 1990s are located as close as possible to the surface. On large profile lines, the average station distance is 850 m (except on L-8 and L-9 south of Puerta de Arganda). Besides the extensive metro network, Madrid also has a dense network of suburban trains called Cercanías. Some routes (especially C-5 from Móstoles to Fuenlabrada via Atocha) operate a metro-like service.

Lines

Pinar de Chamartín - Valdecarros 24 km - 33 stations

The oldest of Madrid's metro lines opened in 1919 and runs north-south through the city centre. Platforms were extended in the 1960s from 60 m to 90 m, when one of the original stations, called Chamberí and located between Iglesia and Bilbao, was closed. In recent years , the busy line has once again been extended at both ends. In the north, from Plaza de Castilla to Pinar de Chamartín, via Chamartín railway station, and in the south, from Congosto to the new Vallecas housing estates. More about Line 1

Cuatro Caminos - Las Rosas 14 km - 20 stations

Line 2 runs north-south from Cuatro Caminos to Ópera where it turns east, crossing Lines 1 and 3 at Sol in the heart of the city. This line still has only 60 m long platforms, thus only 4-car trains can be used. Despite this limited capacity, the line was extended east 6.2 km in two stages, to La Elipa in early 2007, and to Las Rosas in early 2011. More about Line 2

Ópera - Príncipe Pío 1.1 km - 2 stations

The 'Ramal' is considered a branch of Line 2, although it has always been operated as a separate shuttle line. It links the city centre to the former Estación del Norte, now the transport hub Príncipe Pío. The steep line is entirely double-track and operated with 4-car trains of class 2000. More about Line R

Moncloa - Villaverde Alto 15 km - 18 stations

Line 3 is among the busiest lines of the network, so platforms have finally been extended from 60 m to 90 m in recent years to allow the use of 6-car trains. At the same time the line length was more than doubled in 2007, with a southern extension from Legazpi to Villaverde Alto along Avenida de Córdoba. Later it may be extended towards the north to Cuatro Caminos, and in the south to meet MetroSur in Leganés. More about Line 3

Argüelles - Pinar de Chamartín 16 km - 23 stations

As Line 2, Line 4 is still operated with 4-car trains as platforms are only 60 m long. The line has been extended several times towards the northeastern districts and gets very busy at times. It links with all metro lines (except 11 and 12), but it does not provide direct interchange with Cercanías. At Pinar de Chamartín, Line 4 links up with Line 1 and the Metro Ligero Line ML1 to Sanchinarro. More about Line 4

Casa de Campo - Alameda de Osuna 23.2 km - 32 stations

Line 5 is a long cross-city line linking the districts in the southwest to those in the east. It was built with 90 m long platforms from the start, though still in small profile. Line 5 has two surface stations, Empalme and Aluche, which opened in 1961 as part of the 'Suburbano' from Pl. España to Carabanchel (now mostly part of Line 10). An eastern extension with two stations, from Canillejas to Alameda de Osuna, opened in December 2006. More about Line 5

Circular 23.5 km - 28 stations

Line 6 is one of only a few real circular metro lines in the world. Built in the 1970s, its stations lie at a deep level. The line functions as a distributor and provides interchange with all other lines, except Line 12. At most interchanges, transfer is provided via long flights of escalators and tunnels, although at Príncipe Pío cross-platform interchange with Line 10 is available. Some of its stations are of the 'Spanish' type, with an island and two side platforms, and train doors opening at both sides to improve passenger flows. More about Line 6

Pitis - Hospital del Henares 31 km - 30 stations

For more than 20 years Line 7 was used far below its capacity before it was extended to the west from Avenida de América and better integrated with the rest of the network. As Line 9, it does not reach the city centre proper, but convenient interchange is provided at Gregorio Marañón and Canal. In May 2007, Line 7 was extended towards the east to the neighbouring municipalities of Coslada and San Fernando de Henares, this extension also being referred to as MetroEste. All passengers have to change trains at Estadio Olímpico. More about Line 7

Nuevos Ministerios - Aeropuerto T4 16 km - 8 stations

Line 8 was designed as an express metro line to link the Barajas Airport to Madrid's business district around Nuevos Ministerios, where check-in facilities have been established. It also serves the Fairgrounds and Congress Centre at Campo de las Naciones. In May 2007 , Line 8 was extended from Barajas station to the new Terminal 4 building at the Airport. More about Line 8

Paco de Lucía - Arganda del Rey 40 km - 29 stations

Line 9 actually consists of two sections, the urban stretch Paco de Lucía - Puerta de Arganda, the proper Line 9, and the suburban, mostly surface stretch from Puerta de Arganda to Arganda del Rey, also referred to as Line 9b. Whereas the urban stretch is similar to Line 6 with some stations lying very deep, the suburban stretch runs through largely unpopulated areas. All passengers have to change trains at Puerta de Arganda. More about Line 9

Hospital Infanta Sofía - Puerta del Sur 40 km - 31 stations

What started as a secondary 'Suburbano' in 1961 has become one of Madrid's busiest cross-city lines in recent years. Line 10 certainly has the most interesting history having been rebuilt and extended several times. The present line absorbed the former Line 8, which ran between Fuencarral and Nuevos Ministerios (later extended single-track to Avenida de América), it was then linked to the old Line 10 (Alonso Martínez - Aluche) via Gregorio Marañón, temporarily operated as a small-profile line, later the old tunnels were widened and the line extended to Puerta del Sur. More about Line 10

Plaza Elíptica - La Fortuna 6.5 km - 7 stations

The present Line 11 is only a short stretch of a long line planned to link MetroSur to Chamartín via Atocha and the eastern districts. As of yet, it is only linked to the circular Line 6. Though built to large profile from the start, it was operated with small-profile rolling stock (platforms had to be widened temporarily to cover the 25 cm gap) until its conversion to large profile on 20 Sept 2010. In Dec. 2006 Line 11's length was doubled, when it was extended to the Carabanchel Alto neighbourhood. More about Line 11

MetroSur 41 km - 28 stations

Madrid's second real circular line operates entirely outside the city of Madrid. It links the towns in the south of the metropolitan area. It runs totally underground, even through some still unpopulated areas. MetroSur is Madrid's longest line, the entire route having been opened at the same time. Line 12 is currently operated every 7.5 minutes during normal daytime, with 3-car trains of class 8000 (more cars can be added as passenger numbers rise). More about Line 12 MetroSur

Metro Ligero

The 2003-2007 expansion programme added a new means of transport to the already extensive Madrid metro network, the 'Metro Ligero', a network of modern light rail lines, operated with low-floor tramway rolling stock, running on separate right-of-way and with long underground sections, especially on line ML1 in the northern outskirts of Madrid. More about ML1 | ML2 | ML3

On 5 June 2007, the first section of a 8.2 km circular tram route in the town of Parla, in the south of the Madrid metropolitan region, began regular passenger service. Parla is linked to Madrid via Cercanías line C4. More about Tranvía de Parla

History

17-10-1919: L1 Sol - Cuatro Caminos 26-12-1921: L1 Sol - Atocha 08-05-1923: L1 Atocha - Puente de Vallecas 11-06-1924: L2 Sol - Ventas 27-12-1925: L2 Sol - Quevedo . . . . . . 22-10-2002: L10 (Batán -) Casa de Campo - Colonia Jardín 11-04-2003: L10 Colonia Jardín - Puerta del Sur 11-04-2003: L12 MetroSur 24-11-2006: L5 Canillejas - Alameda de Osuna 18-12-2006: L11 Pan Bendito - La Peseta 30-03-2007: L1 Pl. Castilla - Chamartín 11-04-2007: L1 Chamartín - Pinar de Chamartín 11-04-2007: L4 Parque de Santa María - Pinar de Chamartín 21-04-2007: L3 Legazpi - Villaverde Alto 26-04-2007: L10 Fuencarral - Hospital Infanta Sofía 03-05-2007: L8 Barajas - Aeropuerto T4 05-05-2007: L7 Las Musas - Henares 16-05-2007: L1 Congosto - Valdecarros 24-05-2007: ML1 Pinar de Chamartín - Las Tablas 11-07-2008: L9 Rivas-Futura station 05-10-2010: L11 La Peseta - La Fortuna 16-03-2011: L2 La Elipa - Las Rosas 28-03-2011: L9 Herrera Oria - Mirasierra 25-03-2015: L9 Mirasierra - Paco de Lucía For full history click here or see each line description. 2006 © UrbanRail.Net by Robert Schwandl.