The Avril train, known as the 'doctor' train, operates at speeds exceeding 300 kilometers per hour during the early morning hours, appearing almost like a phantom as it travels the routes between Burgos and Venta de Baños. This train is tasked with conducting essential safety assessments on high-speed rail, yet it has not undergone the necessary regulatory approval process, which many in the industry describe as an inexplicable oversight. After a recent tragic accident in Adamuz resulting in 46 fatalities, the urgency for the Avril train's operational launch has intensified, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring railway safety.

Currently, tests for the Avril train began in late 2023 for static assessments and are set to progress to dynamic evaluations by late 2024, although it remains inoperable for its intended purpose of monitoring track safety. Officials, including the Minister of Transport and the head of Adif, have provided various accounts of the delays, but it is clear that significant work remains before the train can be deployed effectively. The growing impatience around its approval is echoed by industry professionals who stress that bureaucratic inefficiencies are undermining an essential component of railway safety in Spain.

In light of the recent accidents, the Avril train's impending functionality represents a vital pivot towards improved safety measures in the high-speed rail network, and the current state of its approval process raises concerns about the existing systems in place. The prolonged timeline for the train to begin its critical inspections casts a shadow on the integrity of rail safety protocols, emphasizing the necessity for reform and urgent action within the transport sector to prevent further tragedies.