Rail transport in Nicaragua
Encyclopedia
The history of rail transport in Nicaragua began in 1860s, with the first plans for a railroad in Nicaragua
. The first line was opened in 1882. In the past, there were 3 in 6 in (1,066.8 mm) gauge railroads on the Pacific coast, connecting major cities. A private gauge line operated on the Atlantic coast.
However, as of 2006, there were no longer any trains in Nicaragua. All traffic has been suspended since September 2001, ending several decades of a steady decline.
First projects for the construction of railroads in Nicaragua
were considered in 1860s. In 1873, the government signed contracts with J. E. Hollembeck & Co. for building a line between Managua
and Granada
, and with Enrique Meiggs Keith for a line from Corinto to León
. However, there were no practical results.
In 1876, President Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Alfaro enacted a decree, calling for a construction of a railroad from Corinto via Chinandega
and León
to the nearest port on Lake Managua
(later Western division). The railroad would be connected to the capital
through steamboats. Another section of railroad (later Eastern division) should be built from Managua
to Granada
via Masaya
or along the Tipitapa river.
Works on the Western division started in 1878. The first engine arrived at Chinandega in November 1880, and the first segment - Corinto to Chinadega - was completed and put into operation March 10, 1882. Construction continued and in 1883, the railroad reached the city of León and León Viejo
, a settlement on the bank of Lago de Managua. A new city, Puerto Momotombo
, was inaugurated in 1884 to serve the port and transshipment station. The western division had 58 miles (93.3 km) of the main line plus 3.5 miles/5.6 km of secondary lines.
The construction of the Eastern division commenced in Nicaragua in 1883. In 1884, the line reached Masaya and the construction was completed in 1886 in Granada. The division had 31 miles/49.9 km of main line, plus 2 miles/3.2 km of secondary lines.
In 1885, a contract was signed for the construction of Ferrocarril a Los Pueblos de Carazo, branching from the "Eastern division" in Masaya towards Diriamba
, across an area of coffee farming. The line, 27 miles/43.5 km long and including a 30 m long tunnel, was completed in 1887.
In 1895-98, a branch Chinandega - El Viejo
(4.8 miles/7.7 km) extended from the Western division.
There were plans to extend the network to the Atlantic coast. A contract was signed in 1903. The line should have stretched 288 km from San Miguelito
(a port at Lake Nicaragua
) through a difficult terrain to Monkey Point
at the Caribbean coast. In 1909, after constructing about 10 miles/16.1 km of tracks, the works stopped and never resumed again. Nicaraguan railroads never connected both coasts. Private investors later built an isolated 62 miles/100 km-long standard gauge
line between Puerto Cabezas
and Cocoland. It operated from 1925 until 1955 and was used mainly for a transport of lumber and bananas.
Additional lines on the Pacific coast were built in the subsequent decades. In 1940, the National Railroads consisted of the following lines:
Total: 382.48 km
In the 1960s and 1970s, the railroad went into a decline, exacerbated further by the Managua Earthquake
of 1972. The government reacted to this by constructing a 25.4 km branch from Ceiba Mocha to Puerto Somoza (now Puerto Sandino
) in 1976. This significantly increased productive operations and revenues, but did not reverse the long-term trend. Governmental subsidies were steadily increasing and passenger transport declining. . The oldest line Corinto - León was abandoned in 1982 when floods damaged tracks. In 1993, there were still 373 km of 3 in 6 in (1,066.8 mm) narrow gauge tracks in the Pacific region and isolated 3 km of standard gauge
line at Puerto Cabezas in the Caribbean. Several trains a day carried passengers south from Managua to Granada, or north from the capital to León.
who ordered the rolling stock and rail demolished and sold for scrap. The last one - 6 km from Chichigalpa
to Ing. S. Antonio - was decommissioned in September 2001.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
. The first line was opened in 1882. In the past, there were 3 in 6 in (1,066.8 mm) gauge railroads on the Pacific coast, connecting major cities. A private gauge line operated on the Atlantic coast.
However, as of 2006, there were no longer any trains in Nicaragua. All traffic has been suspended since September 2001, ending several decades of a steady decline.
Beginnings
For an easier understanding, follow the narrative on a map.First projects for the construction of railroads in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
were considered in 1860s. In 1873, the government signed contracts with J. E. Hollembeck & Co. for building a line between Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
and Granada
Granada, Nicaragua
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 110,326 , it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically...
, and with Enrique Meiggs Keith for a line from Corinto to León
León, Nicaragua
León is a department in northwestern Nicaragua . It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches...
. However, there were no practical results.
In 1876, President Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Alfaro enacted a decree, calling for a construction of a railroad from Corinto via Chinandega
Chinandega
Chinandega is a town and the departmental seat of Chinandega department in Nicaragua. It is also the administrative centre of the surrounding municipality of the same name. The city has a population of 121,793 inhabitants with 151,000 in the municipality...
and León
León, Nicaragua
León is a department in northwestern Nicaragua . It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches...
to the nearest port on Lake Managua
Lake Managua
Lake Managua is a lake in Nicaragua. The Spanish name is Lago de Managua or Lago Xolotlán. At 1,042 km², it is approximately long and wide. Similarly to the name of Lake Nicaragua, its name was coined by the Spanish conquerors from "Mangue" and agua...
(later Western division). The railroad would be connected to the capital
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
through steamboats. Another section of railroad (later Eastern division) should be built from Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
to Granada
Granada, Nicaragua
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 110,326 , it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically...
via Masaya
Masaya
Masaya, culturally known as the City of Flowers, is the capital city of Masaya department. It is situated approximately 14 km west of Granada and 31 km southeast from Managua. The town of Masaya is situated just East of Masaya Volcano , an active volcano from which the city takes its name...
or along the Tipitapa river.
Works on the Western division started in 1878. The first engine arrived at Chinandega in November 1880, and the first segment - Corinto to Chinadega - was completed and put into operation March 10, 1882. Construction continued and in 1883, the railroad reached the city of León and León Viejo
León Viejo
León Viejo, is the place where the city of León was originally founded in what is now the town of Puerto Momotombo in the Municipality of La Paz Centro of the Department of León, Nicaragua. This city, after a popular consultation, was abandoned to be settled in another location...
, a settlement on the bank of Lago de Managua. A new city, Puerto Momotombo
Momotombo
Momotombo is a stratovolcano in Nicaragua, not far from the city of León. It stands on the shores of Lago de Managua. An eruption of the volcano in 1610 forced inhabitants of the Spanish city of León to relocate about 30 miles west...
, was inaugurated in 1884 to serve the port and transshipment station. The western division had 58 miles (93.3 km) of the main line plus 3.5 miles/5.6 km of secondary lines.
The construction of the Eastern division commenced in Nicaragua in 1883. In 1884, the line reached Masaya and the construction was completed in 1886 in Granada. The division had 31 miles/49.9 km of main line, plus 2 miles/3.2 km of secondary lines.
In 1885, a contract was signed for the construction of Ferrocarril a Los Pueblos de Carazo, branching from the "Eastern division" in Masaya towards Diriamba
Diriamba
Diriamba is a municipality in the Carazo department of Nicaragua, with a population of 31,200 . It is located to the west of Jinotepe.The city is well known in the country by a number of idiosyncratic events and landmarks, as well as its mild weather, rich agricultural lands and jovial people.The...
, across an area of coffee farming. The line, 27 miles/43.5 km long and including a 30 m long tunnel, was completed in 1887.
In 1895-98, a branch Chinandega - El Viejo
El Viejo
El Viejo is a municipality in the Chinandega department of Nicaragua.El Viejo is a small city near the city of Chinandega, noted for its particular gastronomic specialties, which include rosquillas , cajetas , bollitos de leche , and a fruit particular to the region called the toncua, which is...
(4.8 miles/7.7 km) extended from the Western division.
Twentieth century
The Central division, connecting the Western and Eastern divisions between La Paz Vieja and Managua, was constructed from 1900 - 1902. This made obsolete the steamboat connection across Lago de Managua and the branch to Puerto Momotombo was abandoned in 1903.There were plans to extend the network to the Atlantic coast. A contract was signed in 1903. The line should have stretched 288 km from San Miguelito
San Miguelito, Río San Juan
San Miguelito is a municipality in the Río San Juan department of Nicaragua.San Miguelito is twinned with the town of Waltrop, Germany...
(a port at Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca or Granada or is a vast freshwater lake in Nicaragua of tectonic origin. With an area of , it is the largest lake in Central America, the 19th largest lake in the world and the 9th largest in the Americas. It is slightly smaller than Lake Titicaca. With an elevation...
) through a difficult terrain to Monkey Point
Monkey Point
Monkey Point is a village in Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur, Nicaragua, south of Bluefields. It is located near the site of a planned $US 350 million seaport, to be financed by Iran and Venezuela. More recently American and South Korean investors have expressed interest in developing a...
at the Caribbean coast. In 1909, after constructing about 10 miles/16.1 km of tracks, the works stopped and never resumed again. Nicaraguan railroads never connected both coasts. Private investors later built an isolated 62 miles/100 km-long standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
line between Puerto Cabezas
Puerto Cabezas
Puerto Cabezas is a municipality in, and capital of, the North Atlantic Coast department of Nicaragua....
and Cocoland. It operated from 1925 until 1955 and was used mainly for a transport of lumber and bananas.
Additional lines on the Pacific coast were built in the subsequent decades. In 1940, the National Railroads consisted of the following lines:
- Corinto - GranadaGranada, NicaraguaGranada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 110,326 , it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically...
191.98 km - MasayaMasayaMasaya, culturally known as the City of Flowers, is the capital city of Masaya department. It is situated approximately 14 km west of Granada and 31 km southeast from Managua. The town of Masaya is situated just East of Masaya Volcano , an active volcano from which the city takes its name...
- DiriambaDiriambaDiriamba is a municipality in the Carazo department of Nicaragua, with a population of 31,200 . It is located to the west of Jinotepe.The city is well known in the country by a number of idiosyncratic events and landmarks, as well as its mild weather, rich agricultural lands and jovial people.The...
43.49 km - LeónLeón, NicaraguaLeón is a department in northwestern Nicaragua . It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches...
- El Sauce 72.00 km - San JorgeSan JorgeSan Jorge can refer to* San Jorge Island, an island in the Solomon Islands* San Jorge, Samar, a municipality in the Philippines* San Jorge River, a river in Colombia* São Jorge de Mina, a Portuguese-built castle in Ghana* the Spanish name for Saint George...
- San Juan del SurSan Juan del SurSan Juan del Sur is a municipality and coastal town on the Pacific Ocean, in the Rivas department in south-west Nicaragua. San Juan del Sur is popular among surfers and is a vacation spot for many Nicaraguan families and foreign tourists....
31.00 km - ChinandegaChinandegaChinandega is a town and the departmental seat of Chinandega department in Nicaragua. It is also the administrative centre of the surrounding municipality of the same name. The city has a population of 121,793 inhabitants with 151,000 in the municipality...
-Puerto MorazánPuerto MorazánPuerto Morazán is a municipality in the Chinandega department of Nicaragua.Puerto Morazan is twinned with Bristol, UK-References:Notes...
31.00 km - El SauceEl SauceThis article is about the municipality in El Salvador. For the municipality in Nicaragua, see El Sauce, León.El Sauce is a municipality in the La Unión department of El Salvador....
- Río Grande 13.00 km
Total: 382.48 km
In the 1960s and 1970s, the railroad went into a decline, exacerbated further by the Managua Earthquake
1972 Nicaragua earthquake
The 1972 Nicaragua earthquake was an earthquake that occurred at 12:29 a.m. local time on Saturday, December 23, 1972 near Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. It had a magnitude of 6.2 and occurred at a depth of about 5 kilometers beneath the centre of the city. Within an hour after the main...
of 1972. The government reacted to this by constructing a 25.4 km branch from Ceiba Mocha to Puerto Somoza (now Puerto Sandino
Puerto Sandino
Puerto Sandino is a coastal town in western Nicaragua. It is located at around .- U.S. Attacks :While supporting the Contras in the 1980s, U.S. forces attacked Puerto Sandino on September 13 and October 14, 1983. On March 28 and March 30, 1984 U.S. forces attacked patrol boats at Puerto Sandino....
) in 1976. This significantly increased productive operations and revenues, but did not reverse the long-term trend. Governmental subsidies were steadily increasing and passenger transport declining. . The oldest line Corinto - León was abandoned in 1982 when floods damaged tracks. In 1993, there were still 373 km of 3 in 6 in (1,066.8 mm) narrow gauge tracks in the Pacific region and isolated 3 km of standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
line at Puerto Cabezas in the Caribbean. Several trains a day carried passengers south from Managua to Granada, or north from the capital to León.
Closure
Most lines were shut down on December 31, 1993 by President Violeta ChamorroVioleta Chamorro
Violeta Barrios Torres de Chamorro is a Nicaraguan political leader, former president and publisher. She became president of Nicaragua on April 25, 1990, when she unseated Daniel Ortega...
who ordered the rolling stock and rail demolished and sold for scrap. The last one - 6 km from Chichigalpa
Chichigalpa
Chichigalpa is a town and municipality in the Chinandega Department of Nicaragua.-Pre-Columbian:It is presumed that Chichigalpa's first inhabitants arrived from the north. While their civilizations were not as advanced as those of the Aztecs and the Incans, they arrived at Chichigalpa due to a...
to Ing. S. Antonio - was decommissioned in September 2001.
See also
- History of NicaraguaHistory of NicaraguaNicaragua is the least densely populated nation in Central America, with a demographic similar in size to its smaller neighbors. It is located about midway between Mexico and Colombia, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. Nicaragua ranges from the Caribbean Sea on the...
- Rail transport in NicaraguaRail transport in NicaraguaThe history of rail transport in Nicaragua began in 1860s, with the first plans for a railroad in Nicaragua. The first line was opened in 1882. In the past, there were gauge railroads on the Pacific coast, connecting major cities. A private gauge line operated on the Atlantic coast.However, as...
External links
- Historical pictures of Chichigalpa - Ing. S. Antonio line (note: displayed pictures change dynamically; refresh page or switch English/Espaňol to see others)
- Pictures of old train stations in Masaya and Granada