R8 (Rodalies de Catalunya)
The R8 is a line of Rodalies de Catalunya's Barcelona commuter rail service, operated by Renfe Operadora. It runs hourly between Martorell and Granollers across the Vallès Occidental region, spanning 40 kilometres (25 mi) and eight stations. The R8 primarily uses the Castellbisbal–Mollet-Sant Fost railway, as well as the Sant Vicenç de Calders–Vilafranca del Penedès–Barcelona and Barcelona–Cerbère railways on its southern and northern ends, respectively. It is currently the only line of the Barcelona commuter rail service entirely bypassing Barcelona. The trains operating on the line are Civia electrical multiple units (EMU).
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Commuter rail |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Barcelona metropolitan area |
| First service | 26 June 2011 |
| Current operator(s) | Renfe Operadora |
| Route | |
| Termini | Martorell Granollers Centre |
| Stops | 8 |
| Distance travelled | 40 km (25 mi) |
| Average journey time | 19 min |
| Service frequency | Hourly |
| Line(s) used |
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| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Civia EMUs |
| Track gauge | 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) Iberian gauge |
| Electrification | 3,000 V DC overhead lines |
| Track owner(s) | Adif |
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R8 trains started operating on 26 June 2011 after a service restructuring affecting the Barcelona commuter rail service. The R7, which had previously run between Martorell and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat stations via Vallès Occidental and Barcelona, was shortened and started operating between Cerdanyola Universitat and Barcelona Sant Andreu Arenal stations. The newly created R8 took over the former route of line R7 between Martorell and Cerdanyola Universitat stations, then continuing eastwards to Granollers Centre railway station, without entering Barcelona.