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The Tren del Ciment will be launched on March 23 and the Tren dels Llacs will begin to circulate on April 6. On the other hand, the Montserrat and Núria rack railways and the Sant Joan and Santa Cova funiculars are operational 365 days a year.
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Among the main novelties of Turistren in 2024, two of the Tren del Ciment stand out: the new playground at the Clot del Moro station and the new heritage circuit through the former neighborhood of the Asland cement factory.
With the arrival of spring, the tourist transports that are grouped under the Turistren brand provide a unique opportunity to discover and reconnect with the beauty of the Catalan landscapes.
On March 23, the Tren del Ciment will begin the 2024 season and will run until November 3. The Tren dels Llacs, for its part, will be operational between April 6 and until October 26, a period in which it will make a total of 30 circulations: 24 of the Historical Train and four of the Panoramic Train (specifically on the 20th and 27th). of July and August 3 and 10). For their part, the Montserrat Rack Railway and Funiculars and the Núria Rack Railway maintain their active operation throughout the year.
Among the main novelties of this season, those of the Tren del Ciment stand out: the new children's playground at the Clot del Moro station, a space inspired by the railway that transported coal and where children will be able to discover the industrial legacy of the area. It offers interactive elements to manipulate sand and water, simulating the transportation of materials and the production of cement; and the new heritage circuit through the former colony of the Asland cement factory. It is a marked route with information panels that allows you to learn about the history of one of the cradles of industrialization in Berguedà.
Tourist trains, in detail
For 20 minutes and 3.5 kilometers, the Tren del Ciment, with more than 100 years of history, crosses forests and places of great beauty located at the gates of one of the largest parks in Catalonia: the Parc Natural del Cadí -Moixeró. It is, therefore, a railway jewel that brings visitors closer to impressive landscapes. Known as “Carrilet”, it formerly linked the Asland cement factory, in the municipality of Castellar de n'Hug, with Guardiola de Berguedà.
The Tren dels Llacs, which goes from La Plana to the Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida, consists of two modes of transport. On the one hand, the Historical Train, where passengers travel in time aboard a railway with a 60s aesthetic with a total of 280 seats, circulating through the lands of Lleida until they reach the emblematic lakes of the Pyrenees and in the town of Segur. And, on the other hand, the Panoramic Train, where thanks to its large windows, travelers can enjoy the spectacular views of the surroundings. This train has 90 seats distributed in two cars and is adapted for people with reduced mobility.
The Montserrat Rack Railway transports visitors to the Sanctuary grounds and, at the same time, brings them closer to one of the most emblematic places in Catalonia, the Parc Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat, in a sustainable way. This iconic site is located just over an hour and a half by public transport from the city of Barcelona. The Sant Joan and Santa Cova funiculars, for their part, make the Montserrat and Santa Cova mountains more accessible.
The Núria Rack Railway is the only means of transport to access the Vall de Núria mountain station. Its uninterrupted operation throughout the year allows you to enjoy a unique landscape and natural environment at any time. Almost 100 years after its inauguration, it makes a journey of 12.5 kilometers and overcomes a difference in altitude of 1,000 meters in just 40 minutes.
Dynamization of the local territory
With the operation of these tourist transports, Ferrocarrils' strategic objective is to encourage citizens to rediscover places in Catalonia aboard trains where the journey becomes an authentic experience. In this sense, FGC is committed to revitalizing tourism throughout the Catalan territory, promoting the practice of nature, sports and cultural activities in emblematic spaces in the interior and, in this way, working for sustainable tourist mobility. Likewise, it seeks to disseminate the Catalan historical railway heritage and promote leisurely tourism. At the same time, FGC works to preserve the ecosystem of the environments through which they pass and in the fight against the climate emergency.
Trains, in figures
As for this 2024 season, it is expected to improve the total influx of passengers registered in 2023, in which 1.2 million people boarded FGC Turisme tourist transports.
The Tren dels Llacs received a total influx of 5,482 users, the Tren del Ciment ended the 2023 season with a balance of 19,427 visitors, from May 1 to November 1, 136,703 users enjoyed the trip aboard the Núria Rack Railway, From January to November, the Montserrat Rack Railway transported 482,633 passengers, 230,202 users used the Sant Joan Funicular and 46,163 visitors used the Santa Cova Funicular.
