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Bullet Train to Take On the Plane in Spain

Reclining swivel seats, video players, and speeds up to 220mph

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2008 11:34 AM CST

(Newser) – An ambitious plan to make Spain the leader in high-speed train travel could provide a model for the rest of Europe, offering a greener, more relaxing alternative to short-haul flights. A major link between Madrid and Barcelona is slated to open this month with trains described in the Guardian as the "future of travel."

On the AVE S103, which will reach 220mph, seats swivel and recline, and all are outfitted with video and music players. Ticket prices are low, and lines opened so far extremely popular, offering hope that the train lines will fulfill the goal of the Spanish rail director: "Trains will again be the dominant mode of transport in this country."

[Images (5)]

[Videos (3)]

Construction of the new high-speed AVE rail line runs parallel to the local commuter tracks in Barcelona, 22 October 2007. Up to 160,000 commuters in Barcelona had their journeys disrupted today after... (Getty Images)

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero (C), visits the construction works of the new high-speed AVE line (the Spanish equivalent of France's TGV) in Bellvitge, near Barcelona, 28 October 2007. Up to... (Getty Images)

People protest during a rally organised by 'Plataforma pel dret de decidir' (Platform for the right to Decide) 01 December 2007 in the centre of Barcelona against percieved dysfunctionments in Catalunia's... (Getty Images)

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A 300km/h en AVE S103 (adaldti (YouTube))

Ave Cordoba Malaga Inauguracion (JUANCARLOSDEBORBON (YouTube))

ón del S-103 Velaro (Siemens) (fernandodm (YouTube))

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Bullet Train to Take On the Plane in Spain