Lorraine Williamson
Spain is criss-crossed by railway lines that have fallen silent. Since the 1980s, more than 4,600 kilometres of track have been closed, many deemed too costly to maintain or no longer profitable.
Some 2,000 kilometres have already been reborn as vías verdes – greenways for walkers and cyclists. But for the rest, a new experiment could put trains back where they belong.
Two pioneering projects are exploring whether disused lines could host autonomous mini-trains – small, driverless electric vehicles designed for rural mobility. The idea is simple: reuse what already exists rather than build costly new infrastructure. Quiet, sustainable, and powered by solar-charged batteries, the mini-trains would carry 15 to 20 passengers or light cargo, running on demand through a mobile app.
German test track shows the way
Germany is already trialling this concept through the Reakt project, led by Kiel University and backed by the transport ministry. On a 17-kilometre disused stretch of railway, AI-equipped mini-trains are learning to sense their surroundings, react to obstacles, and operate independently. The goal is a flexible, sustainable rail service that can adapt to demand without major infrastructure changes.
RuRail: Spain’s rural ambition
Spain’s version, RuRail, spearheaded by entrepreneur Rainer Uphoff, wants to adapt the German model for the country’s vast rural heartlands. In villages where car dependency is high and conventional trains no longer run, a small autonomous train could reconnect communities with schools, health centres, and nearby towns.
Uphoff notes that Spain already has experience with driverless technology: Madrid Airport’s shuttle to Terminal 4 runs without a driver, though always in controlled, enclosed environments. The challenge for RuRail is open rural tracks where people, animals, or vehicles could wander across.
Smart technology for safety
To tackle this, researchers at the University of Granada are creating acoustic sensors that monitor the tracks in real time, picking up signs of wear, obstacles, or even wildlife. The system aims to guarantee safety without the need for heavy fencing or costly new signalling systems.
Legal and political barriers ahead
Despite the promise, the biggest obstacle is not technological but legal. Spanish rail regulations are not yet designed for autonomous vehicles. Political will and regulatory reform will be essential before any passengers step aboard.
A quiet revolution in motion
If successful, the scheme could turn Spain into a leader in sustainable rural mobility. By reusing forgotten tracks, the country would reduce emissions, cut car dependence, and bring life back to communities long cut off by transport cuts.
For now, the projects remain in the trial stage – but the idea of hopping on an autonomous mini-train in rural Spain no longer feels like science fiction.
Source: El País