Five restored historic metro trains will go on display at Glòries as part of Barcelona Metro’s centenary celebrations. TMB has revealed the exhibition will take place on the large esplanade in front of the Farinera del Clot building, right where Carrer Independència meets Gran Via and Avinguda Meridiana. The trains should be ready to view from November onwards.
The exhibition will feature restored carriages from the 100, 300, 400, 1100 and 3000 series. TMB has set up a massive 1,200 square metre tent to house the display, and visitors will be able to walk through the trains’ interiors. The five historic vehicles weigh over 200 tonnes combined, so TMB has installed special concrete slabs and rails to support them.
TMB president Laia Bonet highlighted the challenge of finding a suitable location. “One of the biggest tasks was finding a 1,200 square metre space in Barcelona that could handle the weight of these historic trains,” she explained. However, the Glòries site works perfectly. It’s well connected by metro, train, buses and tram, and the area has been transformed into a more accessible public space.
The location also has railway history. The esplanade in front of Farinera del Clot once had train tracks running through it, and the TBF railway company workshops stood nearby. Meanwhile, the restoration work on the trains began in 2024 with approval from the Generalitat’s cultural heritage department, as some vehicles are classified as cultural assets of national interest.
Restorers have carefully cleaned the interiors and exteriors, repaired floors, windows, doors and panels, and restored lighting so visitors can see properly inside. The trains have been vinyl-wrapped in the colours they wore when they stopped commercial service. Visitors will access the carriages via walkways at floor level, with both stairs and ramps ensuring everyone can explore the historic vehicles.
The exhibition joins other centenary events including visits to the ghost stations at Gaudí and Correus. TMB will announce exact dates and details for the train display soon, but it promises to be a highlight of the Metro’s 100th birthday celebrations.
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