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This paper presents the application of the multicriteria decision-making methods ELECTRE-I and AHP to a layout alternatives decision for a new high-speed train for the Madrid-Valencia high-speed line. The official choice is presented as a first introduction with the planning decision of the corresponding new high-speed lines for the south-east of Spain as part of the 2002-2007 high-speed network plan for Spain. This official selection of layout alternatives was decided in January 2002. The data used by the authors were obtained from public reports and official surveys, including two cost-effectiveness studies in net present value format for that part of the network that includes the important link between Madrid and Valencia. A short analysis of these net present value studies follows, and these studies show the feasibility of that part of the network, but were not decisive for the decision of the layout choice. The selection of alternatives for the Madrid-Valencia corridor is academically considered first with an ELECTRE-I method, and then with an analytic hierarchic process method. This is followed by an analysis of the problems using compromise programming. With both multicriteria decision-making methods the results showed that the North option was preferable, or `outranked' the others, in agreement with the official selection. Thus it demonstrates that such methods are appropriate as aids for such decision-making procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]