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PTG Tours · Enthusiast charter train tour

The Catalonian Alco

Seven-day Catalonian charter train tour on 1960s ALCo diesel locomotives

Illustration of The Catalonian Alco

The Catalonian Alco is PTG Tours' annual special charter train through eastern Spain, running seven days and six nights from Valencia to Zaragoza in October 2026. The tour centers on five days aboard a private train formed of four 1960s compartment carriages with opening windows, hauled by heritage ALCo diesel locomotives, traveling freight-only branches and historic routes around Valencia, Tarragona, Barcelona, Lleida, and Zaragoza. Passengers can reserve a compartment for up to four people for the duration. Two additional days allow independent city exploration or optional sightseeing in Barcelona; one day features shunting demonstrations at the Zaragoza freight complex with working locomotives. The itinerary prioritizes threatened Iberian-gauge heritage routes and industrial sidings as Spain's railway network faces pressure from high-speed lines and freight consolidation. Accommodation is arranged at three-star city-center hotels in each destination. Tour Manager Jonathan Lee leads the group. This tour suits repeat rail travellers and heritage enthusiasts seeking specialized routing unavailable on commercial services, as well as photographers drawn to working freight infrastructure and 1960s rolling stock.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: October 2026; confirm availability before planning.
  • The from-price (GBP 1,350) covers the charter train ticket only; flights, accommodation, and transfers are booked separately at additional cost.
  • Day 4 offers an optional independent exploration of Barcelona instead of further train routing; confirm which days suit your interests before booking.
  • Single-occupancy room supplement is substantial: GBP 620 for six nights accommodation versus GBP 380 for twin/double, nearly double the per-person rate.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Valencia

    Fly or travel to Valencia

    Direct flights available from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester, or make your own way to Valencia; overland travel by rail from London St Pancras via Hendaye and Madrid is also available. Overnight near Valencia Estació del Nord.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tarragona

    Valencia to Tarragona (charter train day 1)

    Board the private charter train, formed of four 1960s compartment carriages with opening windows (owned by ALSA) hauled by two 1960s ALCo diesel locomotives. South from Valencia to Gandía and the short Platja de Gandía branch, then onto the freight line to the Valencia-Tarragona main line, up the coast to L'Aldea Tortosa Amposta (reversal) for the Tortosa branch, then direct to Tarragona via Vila-Seca.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Barcelona

    Tarragona to Barcelona (charter train day 2)

    Coastal line via Sant Vicenç de Calders, Castellbisbal and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat to Barcelona Sants, then north to the French border at Portbou via the inland route through Granollers-Centre and Maçanet-Massanes, reversing at the border and returning via the coastal route through Mataró to terminate at Barcelona Estació de França.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Barcelona

    Barcelona area routes (charter train day 3)

    Routes to/from Lleida via Manresa, reversing at Lleida and heading south to rejoin the main line at Sant Vicenç de Calders, the coastal route via Garraf almost to Barcelona Sants, a freight-only curve at the Castellbisbal 'spaghetti junction' towards Rubí, then back to Barcelona Estació de França via Cerdanyola Universitat and a freight curve to Cerdanyola del Vallès. Alternative: a relaxing day exploring Barcelona instead.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zaragoza

    Barcelona Morrot Freight Branch to Zaragoza (charter train day 4)

    The Barcelona Morrot Freight Branch, a tour highlight, reached via Bifurcació Glòries-Clot, La Sagrera and Cerdanyola Universitat, then the second freight-only curve at the Castellbisbal spaghetti junction. Back through Castellbisbal, Martorell and Sant Vicenç de Calders, then via Tarragona, Reus and Lleida Pirineus towards Zaragoza Delicias.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Valencia

    Zaragoza Plaza freight complex to Valencia (charter train day 5)

    The Zaragoza Avoiding Line to the Zaragoza Plaza freight complex, taking in both curves on/off the branch and time to be shunted around by the current shunt locomotives (a Renfe Class 310 and an ALSA Class 333), before running back to Valencia via Mora la Nova, Reus and Tarragona for a fast run down the coast.

  7. Day 7

    Fly home

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights back to Heathrow or Stansted (or, the next day, Gatwick or Manchester).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the private charter train at Valencia, hauled by two 1960s ALCo diesel locomotives, traveling the Platja de Gandía branch and freight line to Tarragona via the Tortosa reversal.
  • Day 3Run the coastal line from Tarragona to Barcelona Sants, then north to the French border at Portbou via inland routes through Granollers and Maçanet-Massanes, reversing and returning via the coastal route.
  • Day 5Navigate the Barcelona Morrot freight branch via La Sagrera and the freight-only curve at Castellbisbal spaghetti junction; a highlighted route of the tour.
  • Day 6Visit the Zaragoza Plaza freight complex and be shunted around by working Renfe and ALSA shunt locomotives before returning to Valencia via Reus and Tarragona.

Included

  • Breakfast included with accommodation, except for the last night at the airport hotel

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
The from-price of GBP 1,350 covers the five-day private charter train ticket and the 1960s carriages with opening windows. Rail travel from London St Pancras is available as a separate all-inclusive overland package from GBP 2,350 (first class, double/twin) or GBP 2,590 (single); standard flights are a separate add-on from GBP 200.
Which hotels are included?
PTG offers an add-on accommodation package: Hotel Zenit in Valencia (1 night), Hotel Lauria in Tarragona (1 night), Hotel Barceló Sants in Barcelona (2 nights), and Hotel Eurostars in Zaragoza (1 night). Twin/double rooms start at GBP 380 for six nights; single-occupancy rooms from GBP 620.
What is the train like?
The charter train consists of four 1960s compartment carriages with opening windows, owned by ALSA, hauled by two heritage ALCo diesel locomotives (classes 316 and 321). Compartments accommodate a maximum of 4 people, and guests can reserve one for the whole tour.
Is this a guided tour?
Yes, Tour Manager Jonathan Lee leads the group. Day 4 in the Barcelona area offers guests an alternative to further charter train routing; passengers may explore the city independently instead.
What is included in the price?
The GBP 1,350 charter train price covers five days of private train travel on the heritage route. Breakfast is included with accommodation (except the final night at the airport hotel). Return flights, overland rail from London, and accommodation are available as separate add-ons.
When does the tour run?
The annual charter is scheduled for October 2026. This is PTG's one confirmed departure; confirm dates and availability directly.

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