Majorca Page 2: Soller Tramway

This is one of a series of pages devoted to postcards and photographs of Majorca railways and tramways. This page covers the Sóller Tramway. The tramway is also operated by the Ferrocarril de Sóller as their 'Seccion Puerto'.

The tramway opened in 1913, linking the Sóller Railway (FS) station at Sóller with the Port of Sóller 4.8 km away. Reportedly (according to Valero & de la Cruz), government grant rules changed requiring a new railway to be over 30 km long to receive financial assistance. The Palma-Sóller railway was only 27 km long, so it was extended to the Port to increase its total length to more than 30 km. It seems bizarre that a tramway incorporated in such a way should survive and be busier than ever.

Initially three motor trams were acquired (Nos.1-3) using Brill 21E trucks and two Siemens 35 hp motors at 600 volts DC. They were joined by two matching trailers, originally Nos. 7 and 8, but later 5 and 6. These are generally used in winter and evenings. Four open 'jardinera' trailers were obtained and numbered 8-11. They were originally Palma horse trams dating from around 1890. A fourth motor tram No.4 was obtained from Bilbao in 1959, with a matching trailer No.7. More recently, a number of 2- and 4-axle cars have been obtained from Lisbon, of which five 2-axle cars have been re-gauged and numbered 20-24. As with all railways and tramways on Majorca, the gauge is 3 feet, supposedly because some cheap British colonial engines were available for this gauge. Most railways were relaid to metre gauge in the 1980s, but the Sóller Railway and Tramway retain their unusual (for Spain) 3 feet gauge.

Tram No.4 was subsequently returned to Bilbao for restoration and preservation. Eight large bogie trailers have been built which were being used in pairs with an ex-Lisbon tram at each end. When a busy train arrives at Sóller town from Palma a couple of trains can be despatched catering for the majority of passengers wishing to go to port - far better than the unseemly scrum to get on a single small tram and trailer that used to happen.

A number of 2- and 4-axle cars have been obtained from Lisbon, of which five 2-axle cars have been re-gauged and numbered 20-24. Converted cars were 716, 718, 725, 729 and 729 in Lisbon. 2-axle cars 704 and 734 remain unconverted, as do 4-axle cars 334 and 807. Restored trams initially ran in a smart maroon and cream livery but were later changed to match the older trams and given slatted wooden side panels. Tram 22 was also rebuilt with a new body in 2013 in the workshops to look like the earlier vehicles 1-3.

Trams illustrated:- 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24