The Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya, in Vilanova i la Geltrú, has presented the 'Mataró' steam locomotive after a comprehensive intervention lasting over a year. The piece, symbol of the first train on the peninsula, is operational again.
The 'Mataró' steam locomotive, one of the jewels of Catalan railway heritage, is operational again at the Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya, in Vilanova i la Geltrú, following a comprehensive restoration that has lasted over a year. The piece, which on October 28, 1848, pulled the first passenger train on the peninsula between Barcelona and Mataró, was presented to the public again on Wednesday, July 29.
The intervention, driven by the Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (FFE), which manages the museum, included a thorough review and certification of the boiler by an accredited external body, along with the corresponding hydrostatic tests. The cylinders, connecting rods, and lubrication pump have also been repaired, and structural elements have been reviewed, in addition to modifying the chimney to improve its performance and perfecting the injectors.
One of the most technically complex tasks was the intervention in the bracing, involving the replacement of the ties that connect the outer firebox to the inner one, a high-precision operation conditioned by the difficult accessibility of these parts. The restoration has been completed with aesthetic work on painting and finishes, which restore the historical identity to the locomotive and its tender, which was the first to return to the museum once its restoration was completed.
The launch event was attended by the first deputy mayor of Vilanova i la Geltrú, Miquel Àngel Vadell, the city's mayor, Juan Luis Ruiz, the managing director of the FFE, Ángeles Táuler, and the new director of the Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya, Luis Ubalde. The intervention has been made possible thanks to the investment from the Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles, the participation of the museum staff, the selfless collaboration of volunteers Ricard Soler and Fernando Catalán, and the work of the contracting company.
With the return of the 'Mataró', museum visitors will once again be able to enjoy one of the most emblematic pieces of Catalan railway, with explanations from the driver and fireman, allowing the public to understand how the beginnings of railway history were. The start-up of the locomotive is a process that takes about three hours of work: lighting the fire, burning the wood, introducing the coal, waiting for the 6 cubic meters of water to heat up, and waiting for the steam to move the machine. A process that returns the machine its heavy breathing.
The original 'Mataró', built by the English company Jones & Pott, was the protagonist of the first train journey on the peninsula, covering the nearly 30 kilometers between Barcelona and Mataró. That day marked a true revolution for society in the mid-19th century. To commemorate the first centenary of the arrival of the railway to the peninsula, a replica of the original British steam locomotive type Crewe, with a wheel arrangement of 1-1-1, was commissioned from the Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima, as the original was not preserved.
For the commemorative journey between Barcelona and Mataró on October 28, 1948, three passenger cars were also built, of first, second, and third class, forming a composition known as the 'Centenary Train', a true symbol of Catalonia's industrial heritage. One hundred years after that first journey, the 'Centenary Train' repeated the route and has since participated in numerous railway commemorations, including the inauguration of the Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya itself on August 3, 1990, where it is currently preserved as the only existing reproduction of that first train.
The rehabilitation of the 'Mataró' not only returns a key piece to the museum for understanding the history of the railway but also reinforces the tourist and cultural appeal of Vilanova i la Geltrú and the entire Garraf region. For the residents of the province of Barcelona, and especially for those from Mataró, this locomotive holds special symbolic value, as its name honours the city that was the destination of the first railway journey on the peninsula.
The museum, which opened its doors in 1990, is one of the few in Spain dedicated to the railway and houses a unique collection of historical locomotives and carriages. With the 'Mataró' back in operation, visitors will be able to attend start-up demonstrations and learn firsthand about the operation of a steam engine. The locomotive will be on display at the museum, where interested parties can inquire about schedules and special activities.
The Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles has highlighted the economic and technical effort that this rehabilitation has entailed, ensuring the conservation of a unique piece. The collaboration of volunteers and the specialized work of the contracting company have been fundamental in overcoming technical difficulties, especially in the replacement of the bracing ties. With this intervention, the 'Mataró' is prepared to continue being a reference of industrial and railway heritage in Catalonia and to continue thrilling those who come to learn about it.
You may also like
