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MADRID-ALICANTE RAILWAY (Madrid-Alicante Railroad). Picture: by J. Laurent. Date: 1858. Source: Biblioteca Patrimonio Nacional. |
- The copy belongs to an album called "Vistas del Camino de Hierro de Madrid a Alicante" (Sights of the Madrid to Alicante Railway). This work was ordered by the queen of Spain Isabel II to J. Laurent when the railway works were over. The picture was taken from the rails, opposite to the city. "The Pier", as it was called, was a modest and simple building, that would be developed later on.
This original loading platform, was firstly used for passengers. It was located in the outskirts of the city, between Vallecas road and the roads wich lead to San Nicolás and San Sebastián cemeteries, near to Puerta de Atocha (Atocha's Door). This little station remained until 1884, when the works in Atocha Station started.
We have to remark that this picture was first used to make a print wich was quite reproduced and spreaded . That is why the photograf looks older as it really is.
MARIA DOLORES MORENO BURGOS
Railroad historian
