The first part of the journey passes through Astorga and then Ponferrada, giving wonderful views of Astorga cathedral and the Templar castle respectively. Later on the train hugs the narrow space between the River Sil and the mountains, spectacular scenery, as it makes its way to Monforte de Lemos, where people going to Sarria change trains. Then comes the shock. As you are sitting comfortably in your seat the train starts to go back the way from which you came! But it is heading along another line which again passes through a spectacular gorge, past an hydroelectric power station and on towards Orense.

In between Orense and Santiago the train seems to go helter skelter, almost out of control, as it ruches down hill through amy be 20 tunnels. In between the tunnels the rail road is on a concrete bridge high above the countryside giving spectacular views. The train approaches Santiago around the infamous bend, the scene of the train crash last year. It is easy to understand how it happened.