In 1905, a company called Ferrocarriles Suburbanos de Malaga was established, financed using Belgian capital, and with the purpose of building and operating a suburban railway service in Màlaga. The railway line from the city of Málaga to Torre del Mar opened on January 23, 1908 and, six months later, the line was extended to Vélez-Málaga, further enhancing connectivity in the region.

Torre del Mar

The current Torre del Mar bus station is located in the building that was used as the train station back in the day.

It dates from 1904 and, although the building is not declared as historic, it has an interestingly eclectic decoration, with neo-mudejar style brickwork for the edges of the doors, openings and corners. It has overhanging eaves and gabled roofs with green glass tiles.

Benajarafe

Another former train station is located in the small coastal town of Benajarafe, part of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga.

The narrow gauge railway was one of the main causes for the development of the town, until in the 60’s when it was decided to dismantle the line. The last journey was made in 1968.
The station is used as a First Aid post by the lifeguard service. It also has a nice seating area. Nice old building altogether.

Chilches

The facade on this building next to Carletes Beach chiringuito in Chilches Costa is a dead give-away that it was at least a stop, or maybe even a small station, on the old railway route.

By 1921, the train had reached Periana, and the following year, it extended to Ventas de Zafarraya in Granada province. There were plans to extend the line to Almeria, but these never came to fruition.

Torre de Benagalbón

This one in Torre de Benagalbón has the same hexagonal patterning as seen on nearly all the other former stations.

Old Railway Carriage

Old railway carriage, formerly used as a children’s library next to Rincón de la Victoria station but inexplicably dumped on waste ground.

Rincón de la Victoria

This is the former station on the promenade in Rincón de la Victoria, now the home of the Tourist Office.

End of an Era

Unfortunately, services came and went and then on April 22nd 1968, the railway ceased all operations.