History
Talgo presented the Avril concept at the InnoTrans fair in Berlin in September 2010.[7] The prototype, named G3, was approved in Spain on 13 May 2016, traveling more than 76,000 kilometers, and up to 363 km/h.[8]
After several years of development and testing, the first order for Avril trains was placed in November 2016, when Spanish operator Renfe Operadora signed a €786.5 million contract for 15 standard-gauge train sets and 30 years of maintenance.[9] In May 2017, Renfe Operadora ordered another 15 variable gauge train sets for €495 million, with the Avril's entry into service expected in 2021,[10] which was later delayed to March 2024.[11] Renfe sought €116 million in compensation from Talgo for the delays in delivery, later seeking an additional €50 million and €80,000 per day of delay beyond 1 April 2024.[12]
A Talgo Avril train reached 360 km/h top-speed on the Ourense-Santiago de Compostela high-speed line on Iberian gauge as part of homologation testing.[13]
In October 2019, Adif, the Spanish railway infrastructure manager, ordered a single variable gauge trainset for €39 million, designed to serve as a diagnostics train.[14]
In 2023, French operator Le Train signed a €300 million contract for 10 train sets and 30 years of maintenance.[15]
From 21 May 2024, Renfe schedules new AVE services to the Spanish regions of Asturias and Galicia, operated by variable gauge Talgo Avril trains. Those AVE services are replacing the previously Alvia services Madrid Chamartín-Gijón and Castellón de la Plana/Vinaros-Gijón via Oviedo in Asturias and the Alvia services Madrid-A Coruña and Madrid-Vigo via Santiago de Compostela, Vilagarcía de Arousa and Pontevedra in Galicia.[16] In addition Talgo Avril will replace S-112 trains for the Avlo Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, Madrid–Alicante and Murcia–Madrid–Valladolid services.[17]
Technical issues
Since the day of entry into service, the train has suffered numerous incidents, including power failures and software issues. On 5 August 2024, an Avlo train with 494 passengers was delayed for two hours in the Madrid Chamartín-Atocha tunnel due to a power failure. Interior temperatures rose to 40 °C, with passengers breaking windows for ventilation.[18] Renfe issued an apology and blamed Talgo for the issues with the trains.[19]
On 1 January 2025, the trains failed to start due to a software issue in the battery charging system, where it did not recognise the change in year. The issue was resolved the following day.[20]
In July 2025, routine inspections uncovered cracks in the motor bogie of a power car on an Avlo train operating Madrid–Barcelona services. All five trains used for the service were withdrawn from operation. A lack of available spare parts led to the deployment of Class 102 and 103 trains as substitutes. Drivers reported experiencing vibrations and irregular movements at speeds up to 310 km/h. On 25 July 2025, a speed limit of 250 km/h was imposed on a 190 km section of the route for the Class 106 trains from Madrid-Atocha to a point near Calatayud.
