In a time when connections between inland areas and the Costa del Sol are more important than ever, few people know that almost 100 years ago, you could go from Malaga to Coin by train.
Back in 1913, after an eight-year-long effort, the Malaga-Coin railway was inaugurated. The majority of its four million pesetas cost came from an investment by a Belgian company. Prior to this milestone, residents in the Guadalhorce valley had limited options to reach Malaga city, relying on methods such as walking or traveling by donkey, horse, or carriage.
By 1930, the railway had evolved to offer three daily train services between Coin and Malaga. The journey used to take approximately one hour and 45 minutes to complete.
For a span of 60 years, these trains, initially steam-powered and later transitioning to diesel. Affectionately known by Malaga locals as “La Cochinita” (the little pig) due to their distinctive shape, traversed the 38 kilometers between Malaga and Coin at a steady speed of 42 km/h.
';First train station in Malaga
The first main train station in Malaga was originally in La Malagueta area. It was moved later to the port, and the building can still be seen there today. From there the trains ran to san Julian (behind where the Plaza Mayor Shopping centre is now located), Churriana, Alhaurin de la Torre and Coin in the Guadalhorce valley, where the main station is also still standing.
Due to the popularity and lower price of bus travel, the train finally stopped running. The tracks where dismantled in 1965.
One of the wagons was purchased by the Tivoli Theme Park in Benalmadena. Amidst protests from those who relied on the railway service, it was ultimately discontinued. Presently, numerous individuals reflect on the past, harboring a collective desire that the service had never come to an end.
Many of the stations, bridges and tunnels along the way can still be seen. Many residents in the province may have passed them without even realizing.
Map of the old train station: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9MtUUjSq2v4mo2j3A
Comparte este artículo:
Sadly, someone in Coin decided to knock down one of the old station buildings a few weeks ago. The lack.of respect for local history is, at times, astounding.