Historic trains in Spain 2026: requirements and opportunities for operators

Key data

Historic train operators in Spain have had a specific regulatory framework since April 10, 2026 that they must comply with to operate on the Railway Network of General Interest. Order TRM/367/2026 closes a relevant regulatory gap: until now, this type of rolling stock lacked its own conditions adapted to its historical nature, which generated legal uncertainty for both operators and infrastructure managers.

The regulation is not just an obligation: it also consolidates a niche of regulated economic activity in heritage railway tourism and the preservation of historical-industrial heritage, opening the door for new operators to access the market with clear legal backing.

What does this regulation establish?

Order TRM/367/2026 defines the complete framework for a historic train to legally operate on the RFIG. The three pillars it regulates are:

Additionally, infrastructure managers are also obligated: they must consider the particularities of historic trains in network capacity and safety management, which implies adapting their internal planning and control procedures.

Economic and operational impact

This regulation has a dual impact on the sector:

Adaptation costs for existing operators. Those already operating historic trains must review whether their current homologation and maintenance procedures comply with the new requirements. If not, they will need to invest in adapting them to avoid losing current authorizations. The homologation process for historic rolling stock can involve significant technical and administrative costs, although the regulation adapts them to the reality of this type of material.

Market opportunity for new operators. The existence of a clear regulatory framework eliminates the uncertainty that prevented new players from entering heritage railway tourism. Heritage preservation entities, railway associations or experiential tourism companies can now plan investments with legal certainty.

Impact on infrastructure managers. RFIG managers must incorporate the particularities of these trains into their capacity and safety management systems, which may require adjustments in slot planning and operational protocols.

Who does it affect?

• Historic train operators already operating on the RFIG who must adapt their procedures to maintain authorizations.
• Owners of historic rolling stock who want to put it into service on the Spanish railway network.
• Managing entities (associations, foundations, railway museums) that operate or manage historic trains for tourism or heritage preservation purposes.
• New operators interested in entering the heritage railway tourism market, who now have a clear legal framework to request authorizations.
• RFIG infrastructure managers, who must adapt their capacity and safety management procedures to consider the particularities of these trains.
• Experiential tourism companies that include historic train routes in their offerings and depend on authorized operators.

Practical example

A railway heritage preservation association that owns a steam locomotive from the 1950s and several period coaches wants to organize tourist routes on the RFIG during 2026.

Before Order TRM/367/2026, this entity faced a regulatory gap: there was no clear procedure adapted to the historical characteristics of its material to obtain circulation authorization on the main network.

With the new regulation, the association must:

1. Submit the locomotive and coaches to the historic rolling stock homologation process provided for in the Order, which takes into account the age and specific characteristics of the material.
2. Establish a maintenance plan adapted to the specific requirements that the regulation sets for historic material, different from that required for conventional trains.
3. Comply with the special circulation conditions established for this type of trains on the RFIG.
4. Coordinate with the infrastructure manager the allocation of slots under the particularities that the regulation requires to be considered.

The result: the association can operate with full legal certainty, and the infrastructure manager has a clear protocol for managing its presence on the network.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the current status of authorizations. If you already operate historic trains on the RFIG, verify whether your current authorizations are maintained or must be renewed under the new framework of Order TRM/367/2026.
2. Audit material homologation procedures. Check whether the certification process for your historic rolling stock meets the specific requirements established by the new regulation, taking into account adaptation to the age of the material.
3. Review and update the maintenance plan. Maintenance requirements for historic material are different from those for conventional material. Ensure that your current plan complies with what the Order requires.
4. Coordinate with the infrastructure manager. If you plan to operate on the RFIG, contact the manager to learn how they have adapted their capacity and safety management procedures to the particularities of historic trains.
5. Evaluate business opportunities. If you are an entity with historic material that does not yet operate on the RFIG, the new regulatory framework opens the possibility of requesting authorizations with clear legal backing. Analyze the viability of a heritage railway tourism project.
6. Consult with a specialist advisor in railway regulations to verify specific compliance with each technical and administrative requirement before starting or continuing operations.