Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana


Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana or FGV is a Valencian public railway company which operates several lines, in the autonomous community of Valencia, Spain.
The company currently operates the city metro and tram system of Valencia and Alicante.
It also operates a non-electrified long line, between Benidorm and Dénia, in Alicante province.
The company is owned by the Generalitat Valenciana.

History

Establishment of FGV

FGV was founded as a company in 1986, and on 1 January 1987 took over all remaining narrow gauge railways in the Valencian Community. These had previously been part of the nationally owned FEVE system.
The newly formed railway system consisted of various electrified suburban lines around Valencia and the diesel-worked Alicante to Denia railway. Much of the infrastructure was in a poor state following years of neglect by the FEVE administration and patronage was consequently low.

Investment in the Valencia system

The early years of FGV saw much investment in the Valencia suburban system. The lines to the north and south of the city were connected by cross-town tunnels which were developed into the current metro system. FGV also introduced the first modern tram in Spain, partly running on the alignment of narrow gauge railways.
Both the metro and trams systems are being developed through the addition of new lines. Projects are also in hand to modernise the classic parts of the system through realignments and new rolling stock.

Investment in the Alicante system

In Alicante too, the narrow gauge railway is being developed into a modern tramway. It has been extended through a tunnel to Mercado and will ultimately reach the RENFE railway station through an extension of this tunnel. The tram system is also being extended in other directions.
The Alicante to Dénia railway line is being electrified as far as Benidorm and will be served by tram-trains. The remaining section to Denia will continue to be diesel-worked for the time being and trainsets have been modernised for this purpose.
In Benidorm, a local tram service is also being planned. This will branch off the main railway line and serve the centre of this town.

Future projects

FGV is seeking to take over the Xàtiva to Alcoi railway from Renfe. The mountain railway is currently in a poor state and served only by three trains per day and direction. The company also provided assessment to the city of Rosario in Argentina for its future Rosario Tramway, a project which is largely based on the Valencia system.

Rolling stock

In use

SeriesPhotoYearBuilderLengthPassengersUnitsCommunicationsATOLinesDepotNotes
38001994–1995, 1998 Siemens and Duewag ;
CAF and GEC-Alsthom 		201 25 Standard GSMnoTarongersOldest operating units in the network
3900 with ATO1994–1995GEC-Alsthom596 2 UIC 751-3yes Hermanos MachadoATO installed in 2011
42002006–2007Bombardier27719 Standard GSMno Tarongers
4300 2007Vossloh España588 42UIC 751-3yes Hermanos Machado, Valencia Sud and Torrent
4300 2007Vossloh España75020UIC 751-3yes Hermanos Machado, Valencia Sud and Torrent

Former rolling stock

SeriesPhotoYearBuilderLengthPassengersUnitsCommunicationsATODepotNotes
UTE3600 Series1982–1983Babcock & Wilcox?10 manufactured, 3 units preserved UIC 751-3noTorrent-
3700 Series1987–1990CAF, MTM, BBC, ASEA, MACOSA?40 manufacturedUIC 751-3noTorrent