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Soller to Palma electric railway

Visit Sóller on its vintage electric train

Journey is a highlight of any holiday in Mallorca

Travel to Soller by vintage train - picture by Wally Thomas

The journey by electric train from Palma to Soller is more than just a ride through the Tramuntana mountains – it’s a trip back in time.

Gliding gently through olive groves on leather-bound seats, in wooden panelled carriages with brass fittings and old fashioned luggage racks, you could be forgiven for thinking you were part of an Agatha Christie thriller.

Although these days it seems “grand”, the Soller to Palma railway was built for a much more down-to-earth purpose – to transport Soller’s famous oranges to the port at Palma and then to the rest of the world.

Arriving on foot at the train station in Plaza España, Palma, gives the visitor some idea of what to expect. An attractive Edwardian building with an old-fashioned ticket office is a far cry from today’s glass and steel constructions.

As the train pulls in, have your camera ready!

When it was first opened in 16 April 1912 – the day after the Titanic sank – the train was steam powered. The change to electric power came in 1929, but the sight of the engine and its carriages pulling up to the platform in Palma or Soller is no less impressive.

Great way to see the island of Mallorca - picture by Wally Thomas

The journey begins through the streets of Palma, with cars and buses on either side, but once clear of the suburbs, the track meanders with a reassuring clickety-clack through almond and olive groves. After stopping in Bunyola, the train begins its journey through the Tramuntana mountains. The brass lights flicker on as we enter tunnel after tunnel.

Eventually the train emerges on the other side and we start to see the picturesque town of Soller nestling in its “golden” valley.

But the approach to Soller is savoured as we gently criss-cross along the side of the mountains, slowly descending over bridges and through more tunnels, past oaks and olives until the first stone cottages appear.

But the fun is not over yet. Soller railway station is a classic example of Art Nouveau architecture and worth a few photographs in its own right. Relax in the café or, if you’re lucky, enjoy one of the regular art exhibitions.

So how did it start?

Soller tram will take you from the train station to the port

The catalyst came at the beginning of the 20th century when the discovery of vitamin c led to a huge increase in demand for citrus fruits and, in particular, sweet oranges.

Until then Soller’s oranges had made the ten hour journey to Palma by donkey and road – when the weather allowed. Something faster and more reliable was needed.

A railway company was set up in Soller and nearly every family bought shares, raising the then enormous sum of 3.5 million pesetas. The line took three years to construct, the biggest challenge being a 2856 metre tunnel through the Sierra de Alfabia mountain.

The engines were built in Loughborough, England, and the originals still run today.

Over the years, road transport has come a long way and for a while it looked as though the Soller train would go the way of many other vintage railway lines.

It was saved by tourism. Now, thousands of people every year make the journey to and from Soller and Palma by rail.

Of course, the rail journey need not end in Soller. In a rare example of an integrated transport system, a vintage tram leaves the train station every half an hour for a picturesque 20 minutes journey to the Port of Soller.

Soller Train facts:

For latest times look here

Pictures: Wally Thomas