Mataró Locomotive Project

In the late 1840s, Spain stood on the threshold of the railway age. Determined to embrace the industrial revolution transforming the rest of Europe, the country embarked on its first main-line railway: the Barcelona–Mataró line. At the heart of this historic venture was the steam locomotive Mataró, built in England and delivered in 1848, a machine that would inaugurate rail transport in the Iberian Peninsula and forever alter the nation’s economic and social landscape.

Constructed by Jones & Potts of Newton-le-Willows, the Mataró was a 2-2-0 tender locomotive of elegant British design, representative of early Victorian express practice. Its arrival symbolised not merely the importation of foreign technology, but the beginning of Spanish railway engineering itself. On 28 October 1848, the locomotive hauled the inaugural train from Barcelona to Mataró, marking a decisive moment in Iberian industrial history.

Though modest by later standards, the Mataró was a capable and reliable machine, well suited to the gentle gradients and coastal route of Spain’s first railway. It served as a practical demonstration of steam traction’s advantages over traditional transport, helping to accelerate railway expansion across the peninsula. More than a locomotive, it was a statement of intent: Spain’s commitment to modernisation and connectivity.

A model of the Mataró would represent a cornerstone of European railway heritage, comparable in importance to Rocket in Britain or Adler in Germany. It would appeal not only to Spanish modellers, but to collectors and historians worldwide, offering a tangible link to the dawn of continental rail travel.

Model Specification Proposal:

To faithfully capture this pioneering locomotive, the model should feature fine-scale detailing with a diecast boiler and frames for weight and durability. An open cab with visible backhead detail is essential, reflecting early locomotive practice.

At an estimated price of £190, this historically foundational locomotive would be a centrepiece for any collection, celebrating not speed or power, but the moment steam first met Spanish rails. Support its production — and help bring to life the engine that began Spain’s railway story.