Spain's BEST Coast Is Served By A Remarkable Little Narrow Gauge Railway...
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- čas přidán 19. 04. 2024
- The north of Spain is served by a narrow gauge rail network all the way across its five regions. And I knew nothing about it. So today I put things right and head off on a day trip from Santander, Cantabria to Llanes, Asturias. This video is music-free, allowing you to soak up the authentic experience of this cool little train journey. Let me know in the comments if it's something you've done before and if you have any recommendations for other sections of this extensive network. Enjoy the video!
Filmed on Tuesday 5th March 2024
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Thumbnail designed using Canva
This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own
I don’t pretend to be a travel expert, but I love what I do and would be honoured if you came along with me. My channel focusses on the wide-eyed wonder and excitement of finding somewhere new, and my genuine reaction to it. You may not get a history lesson in my videos, but who knows, you might pick up some useful travel tips along the way, add a few destinations to your bucket list and hopefully be entertained by what you see. Thanks for watching, it means a lot to me :)
I do ALL of this myself. Planning, filming, editing, promoting, all with a weekly upload schedule, so please understand not every video will be an epic adventure. But my pledge is to always do my best in any situation and KEEP THE CAMERA ROLLING :)
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FAQs:
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in Glasgow but have lived in Carnoustie, Dalgety Bay, Stonehaven, Edinburgh, Montrose, and further afield (Salamanca, Spain & Devonport, New Zealand)
WHEN DO YOU UPLOAD?
Saturdays at 10am Scottish time. Occasionally a bonus midweek video will pop up (in which case, likely to be Tuesday at 5pm)
WHY IS THERE A DELAY BETWEEN TRIP AND VIDEO APPEARING?
This is a result of doing all this myself I’m afraid. Editing takes time and I also like to schedule videos a bit in advance in case of any problems/illness/cancellations etc. Keeping my uploads appearing every Saturday morning is important to me, so I don’t want anything to get in the way of it. Also, I occasionally need some time off to recover from trips!
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I film with a GoPro11 and my iPhone12. I edit on iMovie and use epidemicsound.com for music. I also use canva.com for thumbnails etc. I also have a DJI Pocket 3 (bigger sensor) for nighttime, although I’m still getting to grips with it.
WHY DON'T YOU SPEND LONGER AT DESTINATIONS?
The usual suspects I'm afraid - time and money! Hotels especially these days make my eyes water like a true Scotsman. Also my weekly upload schedule means I need to keep on the move.
WHERE'S ALICJA?
Alicja will feature whenever possible, but she has her own life and a proper job so it can take a while for our schedules to match up. Trust me though, I prefer it when She is there too!
DO YOU PAY FOR YOUR OWN TRAVEL?
Yes I do. I've only ever accepted a complementary ticket as compensation for a previous problem. All my opinions are frank and honest reflections of travel as I experience it.
WHY THE ADS?
It's my income, I can't do this for free. Notice I don’t have mid-roll ads though!
CAN I CONTACT YOU?
I used to list my email address but felt bad not having the capacity to respond to everything so took it down (and I got a LOT of spam so missed many genuine messages along the way).
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Watching my videos is of course support enough, but if you'd like to support further, I'll pop links in here for Paypal and Patreon. All kind donations are super-appreciated and will go 100% towards future filming trips.
DO YOU ACCEPT SPONSORSHIPS?
I don't like to upset the flow of my videos, so I don't even include mid-roll ads anymore (at significant loss of income to myself), so I prefer not to include sponsorships either. I'm open to a small slide at the start/end of each video, but I don't want to get into talking about products, it's something I don't like as a viewer myself (especially as a viewer who pays for CZcams Premium). So it's probably a polite no, although all of this goes out the window if you offer me something which can give me the chance to make a video for my audience that would otherwise be impossible.
#SteveMarsh #Spain #FEVE
There will be a follow-up video this Tuesday at 5pm UK time taking a closer look at Llanes :) Have a great weekend everyone!
Will be nice ❤
cant wait!
Looking forward to it!
Yes!!
I’m looking forward to seeing an area of Spain that I’ve never visited.
I am too one of these strange people that didn’t need music when instead you can listen to the sounds of the journey.
Cheers for this :)
Thank you. I always prefer authentic sounds.
Thanks, I tend to agree! Will only use music when I have no alternative :)
Me too :)
The sound of the train is much better than the music
Ditto!
me too . Thanks.:)
Music-free is best, thanks
Cheers :)
Authentic sounds all the way for me. Great video, thanks 😊
Thanks mate!
No reflection on your choice of music, but the actual sounds of the journey feed our fantasy of travelling with you.
Another vote for music free. Works particularly well on the small trains, the sounds of the journey are so evocative. Great video.
Great video,the sound of the train is the best music for me
Even with all the beeps :D
@@steve-marsh The driver must have RSI from pressing that horn ... 😆
@@steve-marsh Better without the music by a mile
Nice video Steve. I think the video is better with original sounds instead of music, it makes it more real.
Cheers for that mate!
Definitely music-free for me. Thanks for this lovely video, you have made me want to visit northern Spain again. Thoughts about visiting Valladolid?
I've only ever been to the bus station (in my Salamanca vid) but I'd love to explore more. My problem is Salamanca being too close! :D
I had no idea that part of Spain was so picturesque. The region has definitely climbed up my list of places to see in Spain.
The colour of the landscape hints at some rainy days, but worth the gamble I'd say :)
Love listening to the locals
6:47 I do much prefer the authentic sounds of the journey as opposed to a music soundtrack. Many thanks for taking us on another lovely adventure.
Cheers
I prefer the authentic sounds rather than music. Thank you.
What a lovely train..no you don't need music all the time..atmosphere on train is good....aw so nice to see Alicia...lovely surprise...look forward to seeing your next video steve...thankyou once again....scenery ....wow 🤩💃
I always prefer the authentic sound than music. Thanks again for such a lovely post as ever. A.
I'm not one to be tooting my own horn, but... that train driver certainly is.
Wonderful video as always Steve, keep them coming!
🤣
Because there is a multitude of ungated level crossings
Whether you choose to keep the ambient sounds on your videos or replace them with music, Steve, you do it so well that it's a good fit either way. Looking forward to your tour of Llanes. 👍
Don't need music.
Thanks Helen
@@steve-marshI’ve loved the music on a lot of your videos. Do what you feel Steve! It’s all quality. I personally love the little jokes you put up in the text.
@@trevorbrown8737 😅
I love the music! Keep doing your thing, Steve! X
I also love the music. Please feel free to continue to add the music from time to time and do what you feel is best for your videos
Thank you for this excellent train journey through parts of Northern Spain.
The scenery you passed through was great. It becomes much more mountainous and stunningly attractive as one rides the FEVE trains westwards towards Ferrol.
The natural sounds and aural ambience of the journeys are best, please.
It's nice just having the natural sounds of the train and surroundings. A great look at real Spain.
Really good video congrats . Litle mistake at 0:36 the railway you took is not caled Cercanías its caled Renfe AM (Ancho Metrico) (Metric gauge) but many railfans or locals just caled as the old name Feve(Ferrocariles Españoles de Via Estrecha) (Spanish Narrow gauge railways). Another fun fact at 4:32 that train you took is the 2400 series feve train that has the nickname Apolo In a reference to the nasa porgram due to it was verry hard to drive.
At 23:07 theres a 2700 series which is nicknamed "Ikea" due to the reliability but it is a verry confy train to ride on (:
At 11:56 the Feve network is one the largest narrow gague railway in the South of Europe with 1250km and used to be much larger reaching Mallorca,Cataluya,Valencia, Basaque country and the French border but rigth now there being operated by a operstor from each comunity so what Renfe has its the clasic Feve network with the 1250 km if tracks.
And this railway became really famous latly because of the "trains could not fit tunels" which was when Adif and Renfe kinda sumited the wrong mesument for CAF(the train manufacter for the new trains) and well it was in media for a while rigth now there being build with the correct mesument (:
If you look for a remarcable Cercanías line you can look to Madrid to! With the C9 line from Cercedilla to Cotos ( It was the onlly Narrow gague line from Renfe before 2012 when FEVE went backroupt) that is expecting to close in few wecks or months renovation and new trains soon but the fun 442 series train could pontencialy be lost I really recomed that line to!!! I will be loking forward to your next adventures in Spain. (:
You are SUCH a curious, respectful explorer, big thank you! 😊
Definitely no music overlay required... Unless necessary. 👍
Thanks for bringing this one.... It's the only time I'll get to see it.
Had no idea the north coast of Spain was so beautiful. Look forward to the next video. ❤
Honestly, it's new to me too, but must be one of the best coastlines ANYwhere. Can't wait to continue the adventures there!
The green Spain
Authenticity every time!
Thank you!
This is a gorgeous area of Spain, which I visited several times in the 80s. I stayed in Llanes a couple of days and it was delightful. We also went to Ribadesella further along the coast and spent time walking in the Picos de Europa which was great. I can't wait for Tuesday's video so that I can see whether Llanes has changed much. Thanks for posting Steve
What a great vlog, thank you Steve, definitely prefer the authentic sounds and no music. Lovely seeing Alicia waiting for you at the end, and how happy you were to see her. I said a big ‘aaah that’s so lovely’ but then I am a bit of a soppy one 😊Looking forward to the next instalment 👍🏻
Love the sounds of trains and local chatter on a journey makes it seem more authentic as if I was there great content Steve much appreciated for all your effort.
No music needed it's nice to feel like we are actually there. Thanks Steve for all your great videos. Janet
My favourite part of Spain, thank you Steve for a great video
Happy travels
Lovely way to see Spain! Thanks Steve! As for music, either way is fine by me! 🙋🏴🇮🇪🙏
It is Saturday evening here in Oz and a Steve Marsh video has arrived to make my weekend, lovely journey with great scenery thank you so much and take care.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)
A decade or so ago I drove through the mountains of Cantabria (with a friend from Torrelavega), visited medieval villages, stopped at a cafè that was literally in the clouds. My scenery was absolutely gorgeous. I imagine that so many people have no idea.
That sounds to me like absolute heaven! (And a bit closer to it up in those mountains)
You need to take the Bermina Express from Tirano in Italy, via St Moritz to Chur in Switzerland. That's a narrow gauge railway and the scenery on there will blow your mind! Don't need music by the way, still a great video without it.
Cheers for the tip!
I definitely agree with this. And if you're even half a train buff, you'll be hanging dangerously far out the window to capture going around the helix at Brusio.
But staying on a train that passes St. Moritz is definitely a good idea. I once had to waste an hour there waiting for my next train. Streets lined with expensive "sport" cars but not a grocery store to be found. I finally got some freeze-dried stuff from a shop with climbing/hiking gear.
Well, the Bernina Express or Glacier express are actually pretty expensive, so better take the local trains that stop everywhere. There are also other narrow gauge railways in Switzerland, like the MOB, or the BOB..
@@georgobergfell I don't know what price difference there is between the local and express services on the RhB, but bypassing St Moritz without having to linger there, is worth a few CHF in my opinion.
You had me at train. The fact that it was wee gauge just made it better. I love trains.
tourist hotspots are ok for the masses but give me this kind of travel adventure every time
I'm with you there!
Perfect for a leisurely day trip without the stress of driving. Wonderful views from the train, and time enough to drink them in as you trundle along your way. I'm looking forward to Tuesday's look around the town. I know my Saturday is off to a good start with a Steve Marsh video and some good coffee.
Ah cheers Peter! Enjoy the rest of the weekend too :)
I was watching you at the top of a mountain in Scotland an hour ago, now you are in Spain!! Another great video Steve.
It's nonstop mate :D
I’m taking the train trip with you and I certainly don’t need the music, thank you very much 😉But,it would be great to have a friendly chat while we are on our way😊🙋🏻♀️🇦🇺
Thank you Steve, for sharing. As when you fly, I prefer the authentic sounds of the journey. Definitely.
It really enhances the experience to hear everything as you witness it.
Fantastic video. Love the real sound of the train and people chatting.
What a beautiful day trip. The North coast seems so much less touristy. And, what a beautiful day you had for your travels! Alicja was a surprise at the end of the video! Thanks for taking us along. Cheers, and ATB!
Hello! I’m from Asturias and use narrow gauge railway regularly. I’m glad you have shown it to your viewers and enjoy Asturian landscape!
Beautiful, delightful, entertaining! Thank you, Steve, for taking us along!
Lovely part of Spain. Weather is cooler and wetter than the Costas - in summer it’s near perfect. The food is to die for.
I can't wait to explore it more!
@@steve-marshYou have to visit the Basque Country and the north of Navarre. Close to the French border. Beautiful landscapes over there. It's like Switzerland
I'm going to buck the trend here. I think I'd actually prefer appropriate mood/background music, especially when there is nice scenery. Not sure it would have fit in on this video, but yeah I like a bit of setting/situation appropriate music.
Some clarifications I think may be useful:
The "cercanías" services don't only exist in the narrow gauge railways. In fact, Santander has an iberian-gauge cercanías line (C-1) and two narrow gauge ones (C-2 and C-3)! The reason why in Santander there are separate stations for both gauges is historical, as they were built by different companies and the services were never merged. In nearby Oviedo, for example, both Cercanías kinds (Cercanías and Cercanías AM (Ancho Métrico - Metric Gauge)) can be found at the same station. Also, there are some cities like Sevilla that have only iberian gauge Cercanías. Similarly, not only Cercanías services run on the narrow gauge tracks, there are also some regional trains to Oviedo (R2) and Bilbao (R3). In fact, the one you took was a Regional service to Llanes! the cercanías line running on the same tracks, C-2, doesn't reach that far. Also, yes the regional trains specifically, those that venture from Community to Community, are famed for being very slow, so most people take the bus or the car on those routes.
Iberian gauge is what you'll find yourself traveling most often in Spain - that is, if you don't take the HSR services. Most HSL in Spain are built in UIC gauge, same as the rest of europe, for compatibility reasons. There are even some kind of trains (Alvia services, also some Intercity and in a few weeks some AVE even) that are able to change gauge on movement, by passing through a specialized facility.
Finally, I don't know what happened at Llanes. Normally that is the point where the two services (Santander-bound and Oviedo-bound) cross, but never before when I was on that train did I have to change at the station.
Very glad you liked green Spain! I may be biased as its my homeland, but it is the most beautiful part of Spain.
"Cercanías" is just Renfe's brand for local trains in any Castilian-speaking region.
@@BerndTonn suburban lines specifically, but yes. Also the language has nothing to do, Valencia being an example. Its only in the case of Catalonia that is called Rodalíes.
That would have been a good thumbnail "I took a train to Santander...and arrived in Olviedo". Just as well you checked. Great scenery. Really does look an interesting route along the coast both ways. It's nice to hear natural sounds, people chattering in the carriage etc. - but you do choose great music too.
Much more enjoyable listening to the train making its way through that gorgeous countryside. Thanks for showing me a part of Spain I knew about but have never seen. 😊❤
Thank you for not forcing me to hit the mute button in order to eliminate unwanted music. Natural sounds are definitely best. If someone prefers music, let them mute the natural sounds. Then they are free to play whatever they choose. Great video. Your videos have encouraged me to plan to repeat your voyage from Rosslare in the summer.
I’d normally say no music and keep the authentic sounds but the tooting of that horn was doing my head in 😂
Totally agree
Nothing like simple, scenic train journey to relax and watch on a Saturday evening 😊
Thank you Steve
I could ride that train all day. What a great way to see the countryside.
Anything close to the sea, I’m happy but the landscape and mountains added are the best! Love sounds of train and great when standing in vestibule! Thanks Steve for great video and great sounds! From B. C.🇨🇦
A free train ride? A Scotsman's gotta love that! 😉 Thanks for the ride, Steve, that was quite enjoyable. And being greeted upon your return, it can't end better than that!
Must be 10am, looking forward to this one Steve 🥰
Morning! Thanks :)
How delightful to journey along with the views accompanied by the therapeutic sounds of the wheelsets on the rails and Steve's lovely Scot's voiceover.
Don't need music Steve thank you for the journey
Thanks so much Margaret!
Thanks Steve that was an excellent video I knew absolutely nothing about the north coast of Spain 👍
Cheers James! Slowly getting round to discovering the north coast and it's a revelation!
You're a born traveller and hero, Steve - Hardly a well published or advertised way to travel, which I guess is what makes it so special.
It’s music free for me Steve
Cheers!
The beat way to travel to see cities, towns and landscapes, is by train. Totally agree with you Steve. Been along many routes in Scotland.👍👍😃
Beautiful countryside. Nice relaxing pace. No music is a good thing. Thanks.
Hi Steve, next time you visit Germany, you must see Thuringia by train. Weimar, Jena, Eisenach and Erfurt are "must see"-cities. Thuringia has lots of beautiful landscapes and the famous "Thüringer Wald". And there are no weird people like in Leipzig Connewitz.
Another special spot is the Moselle. Riding by train along the Moselle ist one of the coolest travels here in Germany. From Koblenz to Trier, it's stunning. Wiesbaden is also worth a visit.
If or when I go to Spain I would definitely be taking that train and even go further on it. What I like about your videos is that you show places etc that we would never see on travel/tourist one.
The scenery was beautiful and thanks very much. Looking forward to seeing the town you visited.
I was delighted when I saw this vlog! Many thanks, Steve. I used to own a house near Ortigueira, which is on the FEVE system. I used the little train frequently, usually to travel between the city of Ferrol at the extreme western end of the line, and my house. On several memorable occasions, I did the marathon journey from Ortigueira to Santander to get the ferry to Portsmouth as a foot passenger. An overnight in Oviedo is necessary for that, not to mention a tolerance for many, many hours on the train! I love the scale of the FEVE, those tracks wind through the hills and valleys at a leisurely pace, and you see all the local journeys and local folk linked together whilst you do the marathon!
I love a train journey. These are all the interesting wee places and lovely views that you miss if you fly. Look forward to the next bit.
Hello from Canada🍁I'm glad I found this channel great pov no distractive music, and your awesome narration 😊👍👍👍✌
Music free nice to be able to listen to what we can see thanks for sharing your trip ❤
Another excellent "wee" video Steve...Great commentary as always with some sound advice. ❤
Thanks again David!
What a nice little journey on a very quiet train. Looking forward to seeing the town tour next week.
I loved Northern Spain. And this vlog is just fantastic
Steve, I just love the natural way in which you present ALL your videos, especially the Train videos when they are backing music free. Thanks to you I can visit and go places that I have never been to. Cheers. Great video.
Beautiful part of Spain. I always enjoy Saturday morning with Steve and now can look forward to Tuesday. 😊
Love the authentic travel sounds... Much preferred. Thank you for asking!
I enjoy the sound of what’s going on. And your commentary. 😃👍
I love the authentic audio. Music over videos get's old really fast.
Cheers!
Thank you for the lovely trip
The real sound is so much better. You produce such nice videos. Many thanks for your best efforts. Hope the channel grows to 1 million.
Great wee journey Steve.
Great view's and countryside.
A cool wee train.
Good to see you met up with Alicia on the way back.
Look forward to the next one mate.
Nice one Steve spent 5 days in Llanes 2 years ago so am looking forward to the next video. Great place to use as a base one beach after another around the coastlineDrove from Bilbao right across to Galicia and saw this train popping up every now and again. The Picos de Europa mountain range is v picturesque.
Oh so glad you've had the pleasure! I'd never even HEARD of it before!
Great video.
The sound of the train was good enough. It definitely passed through some nice scenery.
Another gem of a railway line…added to my list... Akin to the tramline/ light rail along the coast of Belgium. Thank you.
I, for one, enjoy the regular ambient sounds over music, keep it real laddie. Another great one Steve.
Great vlog Steve. Might have taken a long time for such a short journey but wow it was certainly worth it such beautiful countryside. Lovely seeing Alicja waiting for you when you got back. ❤
Couldn't have asked for better weather than the day you chose. Have used the train before and I loved the beach on one side and snow covered mountains on the other. I also did stretch from Gijon to Ferrol. Thanks for the valuable info you gave...FEVE Ferrocarril de Estrecha Via de España. Love Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia!❤ I'm going to train it from Lisboa to Irun in October.
I have been to Santander twice. Lovely place. Nice beaches across the water.
Oh totally agree, the wee ferry across to Somo is a fun day-trip on a sunny day :)
Asturias is great. Go to Gijon and especially Oviedo. Great cidre and food !!!
Oh top tips! Yeah I'd love to explore that coastline more!
Another great video. So tempting to get off to explore the authentic small Spanish villages. Reminds me of the time when travelling on the stopping train from Barcelona to Sitges with my blonde, blue eyed, gregarious son. The elderly ladies going about their daily lives all wanted a cuddle. For a short time I felt 'part' of a very welcoming friendly community. Oh and just as good, probably better without music.
What a fantastic experience :)
Steve, aching beautiful bits in this vid. Great job, thanks!
An interesting train journey thanks Steve. Especially when the return trip was free.
Looking forward to the next video.
I liked the natural sounds of the journey better. Felt more real. Awesome video! Thanks for sharing
I do prefer your videos without music as I only really like listening to industrial heavy techno haha but In my head I could still hear “tooodayyy is not tomorrrrrowwwww, there’s noooo time to borrrrrowww” haha absolutely love your videos Steve!
I once spent a few weeks working in a village called Trubia near Oviedo. It was a chemical plant and the railway ran right through the plant. Sometimes we used the train to travel from Oviedo. That line is electrified. Great little trains, and there are also freight services.
Looks great! I very much enjoyed the video. Yet to visit Santander, so I must check out the railway too when I eventually get there. While studying Spanish in San Sebastian , I used “Euskotren” for exploring a bit outside classes. Very scenic views in parts too. I flew back to the UK via Madrid from San Sebastian Airport, which is actually in Hondarriba . A nice town also, well worth some time. The French town of Hendaye just across the water in a little boat.
Totally enjoyed this video, what a train trip! As far as I am concerned the sound of the train is music! (Bus journeys can have music over them, as they are not trains!)
Even with all the beeps! :D
@@steve-marshA honkin' great little train!
Much better with no music, just the ambient train sounds. I can always stick some tunes on at my end! 🎵
Thanks again Steve. Superb content. Very relaxed viewing.