Costa del Sol Towns

Ronda Railway

In the late 19th century building of the railway network in Andalusia began, and all the cities were not keen to stay out.

The city council proposed to bring the train to Ronda and was capable of doing the project on the principles that one branch would be able to communicate with Round Bobadilla and, more importantly, that, by law, the government was required to build in the a future a Bobadilla-Algeciras line that passes through the station and was conveniently located near the town.

Ronda citizens were not immune to the fever of the train, which affected all social classes, especially the members of the dominant oligarchy, who were convinced that the progress of the city depended on it.

It also took into account the importance of the city of Ronda so it would not remain isolated from modern communications networks. The feeling led the march of the railroad in Ronda.

Initiative Taken by the City

It was the first contact with engineers Carlos Lamiable and Watrin. In 1875 Ronda was facing a serious problem: the supply of drinking water was not enough for the population because of the state of destruction and ruin in which they found the ancient aqueducts of La Higada and Coke.

To remedy this situation the city council, chaired by Don Jose and Maria Carballo Jaudenes, agreed to convene a public tender for granting a private company to supply water to the city (May 6, 1875).

Carlos Lamiable pledged to undertake all necessary works to provide a flow of not less than 2500 cubic meters per day. The grant would be for 36 years; afterward, the city would recover all of the above items in good condition.

Lamiable created a company of drinking water for Ronda. This new business forced him to stay in Ronda for long periods until it finally settled.

Other Actions

The Municipality of Ronda and the company set up and tried to involve other people in the project, but Algeciras helped the most. On April 26, 1879, the mayor of Algeciras sent a submission to Lamiable and requested his cooperation.

The City Council showed a clear lack of Algeciras’ motivation in two ways: the knowledge that already had its Algeciras Railway, and the conviction that being a natural port in the Strait, the Spanish government would do everything necessary to promote it being opposite Gibraltar.

Another unique case was that of the four villages: Grazalema, Villaluenga, Benaocaz, and Ubrique. On January 4, 1880, the City of Ronda and the Board of Directors of the Company met with representatives of these people, who raised an alternative: divert the line from reaching Puerto Arriate Galiza through these locations, or link that point in the future with a Jerez-Algeciras line.

 

That triggered the initial idea in 1878 until May 5, 1887, when the construction of the railway line between Algeciras and Bobadilla and going to Ronda was finally approved; it took nine years of dreams and hopes and disappointments and bitterness.

Lamiable did not live long enough to enjoy the success of his efforts, as he died in the early part of 1889. The town of Ronda was disappointed the following line was awarded to Algeciras.

Initial Steps

The process began on October 10, 1878. The town agreed to implement Lamiable’s study on the feasibility of a railway between Ronda and Bobadilla. They took this agreement to Mayor D. Francisco Ponce Ramirez and Secretary D. Jose Pinzon Carcedo.

On December 8, 1878 a meeting was called for the people of the mountains, who were asked to participate in a grant for the project, but they refused because of the economic crisis; they did, however, give away some materials and free land for the road.

Carlos Lamiable expressed resolute opposition to the detour, saying that this change would make the line Bobadilla-Algeciras, not Ronda. In the end it was agreed that the four villas made an independent study and took it to the Ministry of Public Works.

Also, there was a conflict with the company in charge of the Jerez-Algeciras Railway, which Lamiable won, but new obstacles hamper both projects.

The Last Steps

Lorenzo Gomez Borrego continued to participate in the task of the railway, and he succeeded in paving the road. So what was missing, essentially, was the capital for the railroad.

Lamiable’s work was recognized by local institutions. On February 24, 1888, Mayor Guerrero Escalante d agreed to call the square by the name of Socorro Lamiable.

Finally, the line would serve the interests of 32 towns in the province of Malaga, 12 from Cadiz, and 6 from Seville. The budget for the project was 24,468,840 real.

With the support of Members of Malaga, it was decided that a rail should not be limited to one branch (Ronda-Bobadilla), but they should consider building a general line between Algeciras and Ronda-Bobadilla.

On August 2, 1879, Lamiable informed the City Council that the proposal he submitted was in preliminary development while announcing that they opened a contest to declare the line Bobadilla-Algeciras General.

Lamiable formed the “Society for the Draft Ferro Carril de Bobadilla to Algeciras Ronda” and was appointed its Board of Directors, which included Bartolome Borrego Gomez.

 

Lamiable felt the work was complete, and the work done by the City of Ronda was perfect from all angles. Lamiable described the route divided into two sections: one of Bobadilla and Ronda, which hardly changes with the previous project; another from Algeciras to Ronda, the Guadiaro Valley.

At the stations there are no significant changes either. New stations were introduced in Benalauria, between Libar and Jimena de Cortes de la Frontera, and Mill Regolfo (Gaucin).