In 1894 the “Atalhinho da Companhia do Caminho de Ferro do Monte” was inaugurated, located at 577 meters of altitude. The first steps for the construction of the rack railway were taken in 1886, with previous studies by engineer Raul Mesnier Ponsard (1848-1914), and the project was formally approved by the Funchal City Hall on 22 January 1891. On the 13th of August of that year, the first phase of works began, and the connection between “Estação do Pombal” / “Levada de Santa Luzia” was concluded two years later, and was inaugurated on July 16, 1893. The following year, on August 5 from 1894, a new section was inaugurated and the train (from that date on steam) reaches “Atalhinho”, which was attended by the civil governor of Funchal, António Augusto de Sousa e Silva, by the general secretary of the Civil Government, António Jardim de Oliveira and other entities from Madeira, in a manifestation of great enthusiasm. Due to several problems that occurred during the first half of the 20th century, the Monte Railroad was no longer viable and the last trip took place in April 1943, the year in which the line was dismantled.

Credits: Museu de Fotografia da Madeira - Atelier Vicente’s

JOAQUIM AUGUSTO DE SOUSA | Inauguration of the Atalhinho station of the "Companhia do Caminho de Ferro do Monte" | 1894-08-05
21.5 x 16.4 cm | Simple negative, glass | Gelatin and silver salts
MFM-AV, Inv. JAS / 513