Oct 11, 20222 min read

WHAT DOES THE TITANIC AND THE WOODEN TRAIN OF SOLLER HAVE IN COMMON

THE TITANIC SINKS AS THE TREN DE SOLLER IS INAUGURATED - April 16th 1912

If you arrive in Palma and have time on your hands, a great way to spend a day would be to take the historic wooden train trip from Palma into the hills to the delightful village of Sóller.

Officially called the Tren de Sóller it runs 27 km from the centre of Palma through the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range before reaching Its destination at Sóller Village.

Sóller is located northwest of Mallorca and is nick-named “Valley of Gold” for its Orange groves and olive oil production. In the 19th century before the Tren de Sóller was built, all the products produced in the “Valley of Gold” had to be transported through the mountain passes by mule and donkey carts to reach the Port of Parma.

Enjoy the video of The Wooden Train to Sóller

At the end of the 19th Century, a citizen and businessman of Sóller expressed the will of the Sóller residents to build a railway between Sóller and the Port of Mallorca. However, this project was ruled out due to the high cost it represented.

In 1907 work finally started on the railway simultaneously from Palma and Sóller after a year the Palma team reached the main challenge of the railway, the Sierra de Alfabia had to be crossed by a 2856 m tunnel. The first train to travel from Palma to Sóller was on September 30th 1911.

The official inauguration took place on April 16th 1912 The very same day tragedy struck the world when “The Titanic” sank on her maiden voyage.

Sóller Tramway to the Port of Sóller,

Just over a year, later the Sóller Tramway was inaugurated between Sóller and the Port of Sóller, although the tram was intended for passenger transportation it was also used for freight transport to the port. Fresh fish was transported in an insulated wagon. It was also used to transport coal to the old military submarine base. Mines and transported from the nearby Caubet powder Magazine.

It was another 18 years before the electrification of the train took place.

Some facts and figures about the Tren de Sóller

First Train September 1911

Distance 27 km or for the Brits 16.7 miles

Narrow Gauge Track 36 inches

Total Vertical Climb 199 metres

Journey time one way Approx. 1 Hour

Tunnels 13 with the longest tunnel 2,900 metres

As you rattle along on the sometimes noisy train, especially in the tunnels, windows are open for airflow you pass through mountain villages, lots of orange and olive groves planted on terraces, leading down into the valleys. Imagine building the terraces without the benefit of mechanical help.