20 - Two train machines from the "Talgo" collection

The Museum has a highly representative collection of “Talgo” vehicles. The two locomotives on display belong to the 353 and 354 series, which reached their maximum splendour pulling passenger trains in the 1970 and 1980s, respectively. These services provided the greatest comfort and distinction in passenger transportation. Very close to these locomotives you will find the Espacio Talgo (Talgo Area), which features an exhibition explaining the important role of these vehicles manufactured by the Patentes Talgo company and their evolution throughout railway history. The technological advance brought about by this system is highlighted by the fact that many of those innovations are still used in today’s High-Speed “Talgo” trains.

One of the features of “Talgo” machines is that they all bear the name of a “Virgin” on their front. The reason goes back to the first batch of these trains that were shipped from the United States. Since the cost of insuring the trains was too expensive, those in charge of the project decided to invoke the protection of the Virgin, and the three locomotives were named after some of them. From Renfe’s 350 series, the “Virgen de Begoña” locomotive, which is at the head of the “Talgo II” composition in the Gran Nave building, was one of those that were transported on that first ship. Since the trip was completed without any incidents, from then on the locomotives were named after a Virgin.