AVE High-Speed Train Links Barcelona, Madrid

Service between two of Spain’s biggest and most-traveled cities opened yesterday, with the first train completing the 342-mile journey to Madrid in 2 hours, 35 minutes. The BBC and others have the story, and the Los Angeles Times Daily Travel & Deal blog breaks the train down by the numbers.

Spanish riders had been waiting more than a decade for the completion of the line, which was stalled by the appearance of sink holes on the final stretch outside Barcelona.

Meanwhile, here in the U.S., we’ve been waiting, uh, forever. The most promising development, a proposed line in California, remains on the backburner, with financial issues and, according to some people, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, standing in the way.

But, hey, we’ve got a slick promotional video!

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