21 - "Puente de Señales" (Signals Bridge) train stop and contour track

At the back of the end of the exhibition tracks, there is a train stop called the “Puente de Señales” (Signals Bridge). Its platform features material from the historic 1923 Autódromo de Terramar train stop in Sitges, which no longer exists. The train stop is located at one of the ends of the 170-metre contour track, which was built between 2017 and 2018 on the outer perimeter of the tracks of Vilanova i la Geltrú’s former Steam Depot, in order to enable light vehicles to take passengers around the Museum.

This is also the location of the “Puente de Señales” (Signals Bridge), which was originally part of the Francia Station. It now marks the boundary between the Museum and Renfe’s commuter-train maintenance workshop. From 1929 to 1989, it regulated outgoing traffic in Barcelona’s most emblematic station.

The itinerary begins at a 4-metre-diametre turntable, which connects with track 29 of the Rotonda’s fan of sidings, continues behind the locomotives, passes by Jose María Subirach’s sculptural frieze, crosses the historic “Paso a Nivel” (Level Crossing”) of Roda de Mar and ends at the so-called “Puente de Pineda” (Pineda Bridge) train stop and a 5-metre-long turntable from the Vilanova Station. The contour track’ two turntables enable the vehicles running along this section to be turned around, and also connect the different areas so that the vehicles can be exchanged between them.

The itinerary features five straight stretches and two bends with a 50- and 80-metre radius, respectively. Running alongside the new track is a pathway (called Paseo Entrevías) protected by a metallic fence, which enables you to see the back of the vehicles on display outside the Museum, as well as the track’s different infrastructure elements and vehicles.