There are nights when the sky decides to steal the spotlight from the streets, and the night of August 12 will undoubtedly be one of them. The solar eclipse will cast darkness over the coast and inland areas of the province of Tarragona, which is shaping up to be the perfect vantage point to witness the phenomenon. Knowing that many will seek to escape light pollution to enjoy the celestial spectacle, a veritable pilgrimage of observers is expected to head to southern Catalonia.
To make it easier for these stargazers to return home, Renfe has put together a special plan for the Rodalies R16 line. The plan will include an additional train that will allow travelers to make the most of the day by gazing at the sky and return to Barcelona in the early morning, once the major astronomical event has come to an end.
Almost an extra hour to gaze at the sky
The special service will depart nearly an hour later than the last regular train of the day. This special train will depart from Tortosa station at 9:56 p.m. and will arrive at Barcelona Estació de França at 12:51 a.m.
During the return trip, the train will pick up curious onlookers along the coast. To do so, it will make stops at all stations located between Tortosa and Sant Vicenç de Calders. From there, the route will continue with stops at Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona-Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, and, finally, Estació de França.
Additional staff on the platform
Aware that Tarragona’s platforms will be filled with peoplewaiting for their return trip, the railway company has not only put more trains into service. It will also deploy additional information and customer servicestaff at locations where the largest crowds are expected. The goal is to guide passengers smoothly and ensure a peaceful return on a night of massive travel.
For those already finalizing the schedule for their astronomical getaway, all the details of this service are available through the usual channels. You can check the websites of Rodalies de la Generalitat and Renfe, use the network’s mobile app, visit the official X profiles (@rodalies and @renfe), or get answers to any questions by calling the toll-free customer service number (900 41 00 41).
