This is the main page of the program, the plan being particularly interesting. Here is the text which describes the various areas:-

1. In this imaginary railway station you will find everything, ranging from a perfectly restored engine and coach dating from the beginning of the century, to the station bar, not to mention a multitude of objects and memoralia connected with the history of the railway in Majorca.

2. THE BIRTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILWAY NETWORK

During the second half of the 19th century. Majorca witnessed an era of increasing agricultural, industrial and manufacturing growth. The subsequent need for an efficient distribution network capable of dispatching products derived from the Majorca economy. products which were becoming firmly consolidated in the international market, led to the construction of the railway. Between 1850 and 1872, various railway network projects were suggested until finally, in 1875, the Palma-lnca line was inaugurated based on a project designed by Eusebi Estada. The Majorca railway company, totally unaided by government subsidies, was financed exclusively by island capital. these investors being the major promoters of the initial stage of construction of a series of railway lines which rapidly spread to the Port of Palma, Sa Pobla, Manacor and Felanitx. In the 20th century, the railway network extended to Santanyi via Llucmajor, to Artá and finally SólIer, the latter being possible due to the creation of “The SólIer railway”, a private company. In spite of the fact that the railway network never reached as far as the points originally intended: Alcudia. Pollenca and Andratx, it did however become the main link between the economy and Majorcan society prior to the introduction of mass tourism: Majorca as we know it today is yet another product of the railway and its history.

3. THE ORGANISATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE RAILWAY IN MAJORCA

Financing and construction constitute an almost insignificant chapter of the legend of the railway. In addition to the stations, buildings, bridges, viaducts and other engineering feats required, not to mention the track maintanence, this service also demanded an extensive infrastructure of worksheds and installations for the upkeep of the rolling stock — both haulage and drawn — and, above all, a series of trained technicians and operatives for these tasks. Engine drivers, stokers, carpinters, scabblers, electricians, mechanics .........Over the generations, everyone from gate keepers to engineers, steam driven to internal combustion engines, have actively contributed to the railway service on the island. The complex infrastructure surrounding the railway network and the perfect organisation of the hundreds of workers involved, reflects an almost forgotten aspect of’ the industrial culture of Majorca, a culture which achieved remarkable technical and entrepreneurial results. On recuperating it we also recuperate a part of our memory as a nation, hence leading to a greater understanding of what we are today.

4. THE CRISIS AND RENAISSANCE OF THE RAILWAY

Around 1930, the railway experimented a crisis mainly provoked by the increasing popularity of road transport, a crisis which was accentuated by the fact that the railway didn’t extend as far as the coastal resorts which grew and expanded on arrival of tourism. In 1951, following a progressive period of decline, the government took charge of the original Majorcan railway company and initiated a series of improvements and investments, closing the following lines: Santanyi (1964), Felanitx (1967), Manacor-artá (1977) and Sa Pobla (1981). In spite of this, during the 80’s, the Majorcan railway company network launched its most important phase of modernisation on introducing a change in the track gauge, substituting the traditional English yard for the metrical system, taking advantage of the situation to also update the rolling stock. Finally in 1994, the Government transfered the jurisdiction of the railway to the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands and created the company “Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca” (Majorcan Railway Services). The investment programmes and perspectives have improved notably in recent times. The railway, yet again, is considered as an alternative for the future. “discover the history of the railway in motion. First of all viewing a brief video which displays images from both the past and present. Following this, discover the latest expansion projects in mind for the Majorcan railway including a scale layout which has been designed specifically for this exhibition.”

5. This hall offers the screening of a video which illustrates the history of the railway in Majorca. following which you will be informed about both present and future SFM projects. Finally you will be able to see a scale model in various phases of construction with several trains functioning.

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