Origins and construction

The Tharsis-La Zarza region has a rich history as a mining basin, yet it wasn't until the 19th century that it became more extensively developed. In the 1850s, French engineer Ernest Deligny requested mining concessions from the State as part of a project that included the construction of a railway line to provide a maritime outlet for the mined minerals.^[2]

However, due to financing difficulties, the initiative was ultimately abandoned. The British Tharsis Sulphur and Copper Company Limited, which owned several mines in the Tharsis region of Huelva and had taken over the railway concession from French investors, was eventually commissioned to build the line. The engineers at "Tharsis" company modified the original proposal by introducing several technical changes. In 1867, the Spanish government approved a plan for the construction of the line, and work began shortly thereafter. The line was completed on May 9, 1870, but it wasn't until February of 1871 that it opened to traffic.^[3] The total cost of the project was 193,382 pesetas at the time.^[4]

Peak period

The 47 km long railway line was the second to be built in Huelva province, following the inauguration of the Buitrón to San Juan del Puerto railway in 1870.^[5][6] The route ran from the Tharsis mines to the port of Corrales, situated on the Odiel River, near Huelva city. The track's gauge of 1220 mm made it unique within the Spanish railway system, since it was a very uncommon gauge. An iron wharf-dock of 809 meters in length was built on the Odiel River, with a single track. Afterwards, additional branches were added to the mainline: in 1881, a 15-kilometer section to the Lagunazo mine, and in 1888, another 30-kilometer branch extending from the Empalme station to the La Zarza mine.^[3] Railway complexes featuring multiple tracks and auxiliary installations were built in Tharsis, Corrales, and La Zarza.

Arrival of first passenger train at Medio Millar station, 1881.

Throughout its existence, the Tharsis railway line had a significant fleet of engines and rolling stock, consisting of over 100 steam locomotives and nearly 1,000 ore wagons. While the primary purpose of the line was always mineral transportation, passenger services began in the late 19th century at the request of local residents. On July 19, 1881, a special train inaugurated the first service between the Corrales dock and the Medio Millar station.^[7] Due to a limited passenger service offering, only two trains, one ascending and one descending, covered the route once a week. The company purchased mixed 1st and 2nd class cars, as well as 3rd class cars.^[8] In 1884, passenger stations were established at Tharsis, Alosno, and Puntal de la Cruz.^[9]

The branch line to La Zarza's inauguration considerably increased mineral traffic. In the 1890s, thirteen trains were authorized to travel in each direction. The outward journey took 2 hours and 23 minutes, while the return journey took 2 hours and 19 minutes. The railway traffic reached its peak in the middle of the 20th century, when almost one million tons of ore were transported annually.^[10]

Modernization to decline

Passenger traffic on the mining railroad continued until 1967 when it was discontinued. Steam traction usage decreased and was fully terminated by 1969.^[11]

In the 1970s, the railway line was acquired by the Compañía Española de Minas de Tharsis,^[12] which subsequently continued operating it.

In 1981, RENFE, the state-owned railway company, created a connection between its Gibraleón-Ayamonte line (Iberian gauge) and the Tharsis railway line.^[13] The link ran from the La Mezquita station to the Corrales station. To enable Iberian gauge trains (1668 millimeters) to access the Corrales railway complex, RENFE installed a third rail on the original 1220 mm track. Although the Gibraleón-Ayamonte line ceased operation in 1987, the Gibraleón-Mezquita-Corrales route continued to serve ore convoys for a brief period of time.^[12]

In May 1991,^[14] the Empalme-La Zarza railway branch ceased operations due to the mining crisis and ultimately closed in 1992.^[12] Four years later, the railway was dismantled to make way for a new road in the area.^[6] Meanwhile, the route from Corrales station to the Odiel wharf-dock remained operational until 1993 when it too was closed down as the Odiel River lacked sufficient draught. The remaining portion of the line continued to operate with Nueva Tharsis SAL taking over administration in 1995.^[12]

At that time, the volume of traffic on the railway line had sharply declined compared to previous levels. The fate of the railway was sealed when in 1999, the company FESA-Fertiberia announced that it would not be renewing its purchasing contract for ore from Tharsis.^[15] The last train ran on December 22, 1999, and the line was officially closed on January 1, 2000.^[16]

Recent times

After the railway closed, many facilities were abandoned and are now out of service.^[16] However, a significant portion of the historic route remains intact, including Tharsis, Empalme, Corrales, and other stations. In 2008, the mayor of Tharsis acquired the railway facilities, marking an initial step in their restoration.^{[note 1]} Despite various proposals to repurpose the railway for tourist-recreational use,^[17] similar to the Riotinto Tourist Mining Train, nothing has been done to date.