The Pajares pass in the north of Spain is one of the most impressive mountain lines of Europe, with more then 60 tunnels, loops and some viaducts. In fact it is more a ramp, with a grade of 2 %, climbing from sea level in Gijon via Oviedo and over the Cantábrica mountain range to the inner spanish highland. The highest point is 1270 meter a.s.l. at the south portal of the 3072 meter long Perruca tunnel below the Pajares pass. The mostly single track line in the iberian broad gauge of 1668 mm (5 ft 5 21⁄32 in) was built between 1864 and 1884 and electrified in 1924 with 3000 V DC. The powerfull and heavy locomotive E 251 # 030, last of the series, was built by CAF in Spain in 1983 after a design from Mitsubishi/Japan. It has 4650 kW and can pull freight trains of 1000 metric tons over the Pajares pass line. The train loaded with steel coils from the ArccelorMittal works in Avilés is just leaving the 3072 meter long Perruca tunnel on the highest point of the line on 1270 meter a.s.l.
