Transportation

View our selection of old photographs of Madeira’s early transportation.

Wednesday, 15 June 2016
Transportation - The first car in Madeira. A 1904 Wolseley that belonged to Mr. Foster

The first car in Madeira. A 1904 Wolseley that belonged to Mr. Foster
Transportation - The first cars in Madeira 1 - 1935

The first cars in Madeira 1 - 1935
Transportation - Family tour - 1935

Family tour - 1935
Transportation - Family tour 2 - 1935

Family tour 2 - 1935
Transportation - Family tour 3 - 1935

Family tour 3 - 1935
Transportation - Family tour 4 - 1935

Family tour 4 - 1935
Transportation - Family tour 5 - 1935

Family tour 5 - 1935
Transportation - As you can see, cars were becoming more common in Madeira in the 1930s

As you can see, cars were becoming more common in Madeira in the 1930s
Transportation - Posing with the new automobile - 1935

Posing with the new automobile - 1935
Transportation - In 1950 an ox cart still gives the taxis a run for their money

In 1950 an ox cart still gives the taxis a run for their money
Transportation - In 1920 brand new roads are built for automobiles

In 1920 brand new roads are built for automobiles
Transportation - Avenida Arriaga already a busy road

Avenida Arriaga already a busy road
Transportation - Cars and Bus near the João Gonçalves Zarco Statue - Avenida Arriaga - 1930

Cars and Bus near the João Gonçalves Zarco Statue - Avenida Arriaga - 1930
Transportation - The Monte train - 1891

The Monte train - 1891

The Monte train was built in 1891. It connected Funchal to Levada de Santa Luzia in an 1000 metres trail.
Transportation - The Monte train - 1900

The Monte train - 1900

The Monte train in 1900. At this time the train already went to Monte. 1500 metres from the previous station (Santa Luzia) and 2,5 km from Funchal.
Transportation - Terreiro da Luta Restaurant & Train Station - 1912

Terreiro da Luta Restaurant & Train Station - 1912

Terreiro da Luta Restaurant and Train Station. In 1912 the Monte Railroad reached Terreiro da Luta, making the trail 3,911 metres long and reaching 850 metres high.
Transportation - View of the Monte train at Terreiro da Luta - 1936

View of the Monte train at Terreiro da Luta - 1936

The Monte train at Terreiro da Luta Station in 1936.
Transportation - The Monte train and a wicker basket toboggan

The Monte train and a wicker basket toboggan

The Monte train next to a wicker basket toboggan.
Transportation - The train on the way down to Funchal

The train on the way down to Funchal
Transportation - Monte train postcard

Monte train postcard
Transportation - Postcard of the train arriving at Monte Station

Postcard of the train arriving at Monte Station
Transportation - Railroad view from Monte to Funchal’s Bay - 1916

Railroad view from Monte to Funchal’s Bay - 1916

As this 1916’s picture shows, the ride must have been a scary one.
Transportation - Train at the Pombal Station, the start of the Monte Railroad

Train at the Pombal Station, the start of the Monte Railroad
Transportation - Livramento Train Station

Livramento Train Station

Transportation - Train boiler exploded - 1919

Train boiler exploded - 1919

In 1919 one of the train boilers exploded on the way up to Monte. From this accident 4 people died and several were injured. Then in 1932, the train derailed. From that date on, people stopped using the train as they found it too dangerous. The train’s last journey happened in April of 1943 and the railroad was soon demolished.
Transportation - Monte toboggan ride - 1925

Monte toboggan ride - 1925

One of the most famous attractions in Madeira and a popular transport for a long time for those travelling between Monte and Funchal in 1925
Transportation - Monte toboggan ride - 1926

Monte toboggan ride - 1926

The toboggans are made of wicker built on wooden sleds - 1926
Transportation - Monte toboggan ride 3 - Santa Luzia - 1935

Monte toboggan ride 3 - Santa Luzia - 1935

Two men control the toboggans by pushing and pulling ropes in the same direction for speed control and in opposite directions for turning. In the picture the toboggans are in Santa Luzia, half way down to Funchal - 1935
Transportation - Monte toboggan ride 4

Monte toboggan ride 4

The downhill journey to Funchal, reaching a speed of 48 km/hour.
Transportation - Toboggan drivers - 1926

Toboggan drivers - 1926

Toboggan drivers traditionally dressed in white cotton clothes.
Transportation - Arriving at Funchal - 1930

Arriving at Funchal - 1930

Transportation - From Funchal to Monte on foot - 1930

From Funchal to Monte on foot - 1930

Toboggan driver carries sled on his back on foot back to Monte - 1930.