Funchal Photo Gallery

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View looking down across Funchal harbour from the Rua do Comboio

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The Rua do Comboio follows the route of the original rack-and-pinion railway track from Funchal up to Monte and beyond. This photo shows the panoramic views of Madeira's capital city that the train passengers must have enjoyed during their journey up the steep slopes.

Engineer, Raul Mesnier Ponsard, first investigated the possibility of a train from Funchal to Monte in 1886. On 17th February 1887, consent was given to build the proposed railway. The first stretch of track, from Levada de Pombal to Santa Luzia was opened on 16th July 1893. Further extensions to the line were added with stops at the north entrance to the Monte Palace Hotel and Largo da Fonte. The line was finally completed in 1912 when the terminus at Terreiro da Luta Ficando was built. A total distance of 3,850 metres. Travellers who made the complete journey could enjoy refreshments at the Café Esplanada da Luta, about 850 meters above sea level. At this time, it was also a habit of the locals to throw blooms to the tourists as the train made its way up the mountainside.

On 10th September 1919 a train's boiler exploded as it made the climb, resulting in 4 fatalities and many more injuries. As a consequence, journeys were suspended until 1st February 1920. The next major incident occurred on 11th January 1932 when a derailment took place. From then on, the railway company's fortunes declined until the onset of World War II, when tourism to Madeira virtually halted. The final journey of the train was completed in April 1943 after which the line was dismantled. In 1953, the route of the track was paved over. Today, the Regional Secretariat of Tourism and Culture along with the University of Madeira is investigating the possibility of reconstructing the railway.