Catalonia has a firmly established railway industry. The first Spanish railway was opened in 1848 and ran between Barcelona and Mataró. Early industrialisation in the region led to the setting up of two major companies very early on: La Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima (MTM) and Material y Construcciones (MACOSA). Today the forerunners of the industry include Alstom (which took MTM over in 1989), located in Santa Perpètua de la Mogoda, and Siemens (who bought La Industria Electrica, SA in 1910), located in Cornellà.

However, there is more to the sector than just these big companies. The railway industry is currently made up by over 130 companies with a total annual turnover of 1,000 million euros and 11,000 workers, and synergies with other sectors. This industry accounts for over 40% of Spain's overall production in this sector. There is likewise a very high concentration of R&D and high technology activities, which, amongst other things, provides materials for the high-speed railway network in Spain.

Rail freight services are currently undergoing changes that are opening new opportunities in this sector. At a European level, the industry is increasingly being liberalised, and a 6% growth rate is anticipated over the next few years, which will affect the activities of companies operating in Spain and Catalonia. Moreover, current changes in infrastructures (high-speed railway lines, etc.) will have long-term repercussions.

Its borders with Europe places Catalonia in a particularly advantageous position as it is on one of Europe's main railway arteries (Scandinavia-Rhine-Rhone-West Mediterranean), and serves as the main port for many regions of Spain. The financial benefits that the sector brings about means that it is in high demand and that it plays an important role in the economy. Catalonia currently transports 28% of freight on Spain's national railway network.

Services, particularly the maintenance of trains and activities related to signalling and safety, in which engineering and R&D are largely involved, are clear business opportunities in the sector for Catalonia. 

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More about railway:

• Catalonia Transport Infrastructures Plan, 2006-2026
• Spanish Strategic Transport Infrastructures Plan (PEIT)
• Railway Sector Plan (2005-2012)
• European Transport Policy
• Railway Freigh Transport Trends
• White Book: European Transport Policy for 2010
• Catalan Industry Annual Report (2006)
• Railgrup
• Cemafe
• Spanish Railway Techonolgy Association
• Railway Industry Fair, Bcnrail