New historicTrain in Andalusia: Train Ventas de Zafarraya

A replica on small scale of the train known as El Tren del Llano, which connected formerly Malaga with Ventas de Zafarraya is now operating a a tourist train on a scenic track.

History

In 1905 the ‘Ferrocarriles Suburbanos de Malaga’ train company was established with one main mission - to connect Malaga city to Granada. In 1922 the final 31 kilometre stage, from Vélez-Málaga to Ventas de Zafarraya, which had taken 12 years to complete due to the impossibly steep terrain was completed.

In those days it took nearly 5 hours to arrive from Málaga to Ventas de Zafarraya.

But by 1959 with harsh competition from new roads and efficient bus services the train ceased to operate.

Revival

Now an initiative of the owner of the old hotel 'La Estación' Francisco Moreno and an engineer of Mare, a company dedicated to save moribund but scenic trainroutes from disappearing, has made that you can enjoy now the new Tren el Llano and visit the museum in the cellars of the hotel with memorabilia from the former train and the hotel.

In the bar and pastry shop Gloria you can remember the old times by all the old photos decorating the walls enjoying a coffee or having a drink.

Hotel Estación de Zafarraya, now bar and pastry shop Gloria.

Information

The train runs nowadays only when there are organised excursions.

You can book through SOHA or calling Francisco Moreno, tel 687547221

Tren del Llano

See for more information: El Tren del Llano or Sohapi

Museo Tren del Llano

Thanks to the information provided by El Sur in English, 14 august 2015