The Phantom Train of Madrid’s Chamberí Station

The first time I caught a glimpse of estación chamberí, it felt like a blink into another era beneath the city. The dim arches flashed by on Line 1 and left me wanting more.

I will guide you through why this sealed 1919 station became a preserved relic and how it reopened as Andén 0, a free museum that stitches past and present together.

The platform sits frozen in early-20th-century style while a modern train still rushes past behind glass. You can watch the motion and feel the stillness at the same site, a visceral experience I planned around limited hours and queueing.

Expect a clear history, what it feels like inside today, and practical tips for access from Plaza de Chamberí. I’ll explain how the station evolved, why it closed in 1966, and how restoration brought it back to life for visitors like me.

Key Takeaways

Estación chamberí opened in 1919 and closed in 1966 due to platform extensions on the line.
Restored and reopened as Andén 0, it operates as a free museum with faithful period details.
You can see active trains pass behind glass while standing on the historic platform.
Access is via Plaza de Chamberí; capacity is limited and queues are common.
Plan your visit around posted hours to allow enough time to explore the site.

Why I Went Looking for the Ghost Train Madrid at Estación de Chamberí

A single glimpse of a shuttered platform on Line 1 pushed me to stop planning and finally go.

For years riders had spotted that darkened stop between Bilbao and Iglesia. The hint of an abandoned place made me curious, so I walked the short route from the street to Plaza de Chamberí and found the discreet entrance.

Outside, a patient line of people waited under a one-in/one-out policy. Entry is free, and the old ticket hall now shows a 20-minute Spanish film that helps set the scene for the visit.

I loved seeing original details—turnstiles, tiled ads, and the ticket counter—while a modern train skimmed by behind glass a few feet away. That contrast turned what could be a neat metro stop into something quietly eerie and memorable.

Access: Plaza de Chamberí entrance; queues form along the street.
Cost: Free entry with limited capacity.
Tip: Allow time for the short film to get historical context.

Feature	What to Expect	Practical Note
Entrance	Small doorway on Plaza de Chamberí	Queue on the street; one-in/one-out policy
Presentation	Restored platform and a short Spanish film	Film runs ~20 minutes; helpful even with limited time
Atmosphere	Historic tiles and live metro action nearby	Bring a camera; respect other people and the site

From 1919 to today: how a metro station became a legend

Chamberí’s path from everyday platform to celebrated museum spans decades of change and chance.

Timeline on Line 1: The station opened in 1919 as one of eight original stops on the first line connecting Cuatro Caminos to Puerta del Sol. Over the years, Line 1 grew and required longer platforms to carry six-car trains.

During the Spanish Civil War, many stations doubled as shelters. Chamberí even housed diesel engines that helped power parts of the city, turning transit space into a vital public lifeline.

The practical problem came in the 1960s when platforms needed to extend from 60m to 90m. Chamberí sat on a tight curve between Bilbao and Iglesia, so extending the platform was impossible.

That geometry led to closure on May 22, 1966. Trains still passed the sealed platform, which helped preserve original tiles and fixtures by accident more than design.

Chamberí station platform

How the site became a museum

A restoration from 2006 to 2008 stabilized tiling, rebuilt signage, and curated displays. The reopened Andén 0 museum uses interpretive panels and a short Spanish-language film to anchor the narrative.

Year	Event	Impact
1919	Opening on inaugural Line 1	Part of Madrid’s first underground network
1966	Closure (May 22)	Platform too short and curved for longer trains
2006–2008	Restoration and reopening	Saved the site as a museum and time capsule

Inside Andén 0: the eerie, living museum where trains still thunder past

Stepping off Plaza de Chamberí, I took the spiral stair down and felt the change immediately. A glass elevator also provides easy access for people who prefer it.

The restored ticket hall greets you with original counters, creaky turnstiles, and old maps that still read like a map of another century. Conservators left the station’s bones intact while adding clear wayfinding for visitors.

The platform curve is the star: white-and-cobalt tiles by Antonio Palacios wrap the space. Rebuilt ceramic advertisements sparkle like mosaics along the wall.

A clear glass barrier marks one side so I could stand safely as a train on Line 1 flashed by. For a moment I met the eyes of passing passengers, a quick exchange across time.

The opposite platform stays unprotected, reminding you this is a preserved station first and a museum second.
A small theater shows a ~20-minute Spanish film that explains the layout and history.

Ghost Train Madrid visitor guide: access, hours, and what to expect now

Reaching the old platform is easy, but timing and patience shape the visit. For access, ride Line 1 to Bilbao or Iglesia and follow the short walk to Plaza de Chamberí.

Getting there: From Bilbao, walk uphill on Calle de Luchana. From Iglesia, head south on Calle de Santa Engracia. The modern entrance sits on the plaza and is hard to miss.

Tickets and hours: Entry is free, but there is no ticket to buy. Hours are Tue–Fri 11:00–19:00 and weekends/holidays 10:00–14:00. The museum uses a one-in/one-out policy, so expect a queue at peak time.

What to expect on the platform

A clear glass barrier runs the length of the platform. Trains pass every few minutes and passengers often glance in; it is part of the experience.

Make it a day

Combine this stop with the Metro museum at Chamartín to see vintage car carriages (free, but you need a metro ticket to reach it) and the Museo del Ferrocarril at Delicias. If you hit the second weekend, Mercado de Motores adds great food and market stalls.

Item	Notes	Practical tip
Access	Line 1 to Bilbao or Iglesia, short walk	Follow Calle de Luchana or Calle de Santa Engracia
Hours & entry	Tue–Fri 11–19; weekends 10–14; Mon closed	Arrive before opening to avoid long waits
Inside	Glass barrier, compact galleries, loud when trains arrive	Use the glass elevator or spiral stairs; mind children

Conclusion

A short descent at Plaza de Chamberí puts you on a platform where history and service cross paths. I watched the preserved space—opened in 1919, closed in 1966, restored in 2006–2008—and felt how the years make the story clearer.

The chamberí station (the estación chamberí) keeps its original tiles and ceramic advertisements. Standing there as Line 1 trains slip past the glass, the place reads like a time capsule and a working metro station at once.

Access is easy from nearby stops, so a brief detour on the line fits most itineraries. Pair this visit with the Chamartín collection or the Delicias Railway Museum to see how other stations became living exhibits.

For me, estación chamberí is more than a preserved station; it is a bridge between eras, and one I’d return to for a few quiet minutes on the platform.

FAQ

What is the Phantom Train of Chamberí Station?

I describe the Phantom Train as the preserved early-20th-century metro platform at Estación de Chamberí, a closed Line 1 station turned museum. It shows original tiles, platforms, and signage so visitors can see how the subway looked in its first decades.

Why did I go looking for the site beneath Chamberí?

I wanted to experience the unusual mix of history and urban design. The station captures a moment in the city’s transit history and shows how public spaces evolve. It felt like stepping into a living archive of daily commuting from a century ago.

When did the station open and why did it close in 1966?

I note the station opened with the original Line 1 in 1919. It closed in 1966 after platform-length upgrades left it too short for modern trains. Rather than demolish it, authorities kept the space intact, which later allowed it to become a museum space.

Was the station ever used during wartime?

I learned that the station served as an air-raid shelter and refuge during the Spanish Civil War and other conflicts. That use contributed to its role in urban memory and to stories people pass down about hidden life beneath the streets.

What will I see inside Andén 0 today?

I saw the original curved platform, classic cobalt-and-white tiles, restored advertising posters, and a clear glass barrier separating the museum platform from active tracks. The layout keeps the atmosphere intact while ensuring visitor safety.

How do I access the museum entrance and ticket hall?

I entered via a street-level doorway and a spiral staircase that leads down to the ticket hall. The route recreates the feel of a historic station approach and prepares you for the platform reveal.

Are there films or exhibits about the station’s design and history?

I saw short film reels and informational panels that explain the station’s architecture, including Antonio Palacios’s influence, tilework techniques, and how advertising evolved on the network.

How do I get there using Line 1?

I recommend taking Line 1 to either Bilbao or Iglesia and then walking a few blocks. Signs and local maps point the way; it’s a short, easy route from both stops.

Do I need a ticket or reservation to visit Andén 0?

I found that access is through the Andén 0 program run by Metro de Madrid. Entry is free but capacity is limited, so reservations are advised during busy periods to avoid long waits.

What are the best times to visit to avoid crowds?

I suggest weekdays in the morning or late afternoon. Midday and weekends attract more visitors, and capacity limits can create lines. Early visits give me more time to study tiles and displays without interruption.

Will I see active trains while inside the museum platform?

I could observe trains running on the adjacent live track, heard their rumble, and watched passengers pass on the operational platform beyond the glass barrier. The separation keeps the experience safe while connecting past and present.

Can I combine this visit with other transport museums nearby?

I often pair Andén 0 with Madrid’s Railway Museum at Delicias and the Chamartín Metro museum for a fuller picture of the city’s transit history. The area also has cafés and tapas spots to round out the day.

Is the site family-friendly and accessible for visitors with mobility needs?

I found the spiral staircase and historic layout limit accessibility in parts. The museum provides information about access and alternative options, so I suggest checking Metro de Madrid’s accessibility guidance before planning a visit.