24 - Railway superstructure elements, signals exhibition and "Puente de Pineda" (Pineda Bridge) train stop

Continuing along the Paseo Entrevías pathway, you can see the two essential parts required for the railway to function. One is the infrastructure or platform that supports the track. The second is the superstructure, made up of rails stabilised by sleepers (wooden or concrete bars that join the two rails together) that lie on top of the ballast (the stones forming the support base under the sleepers). The materials that make up the track have gradually evolved, adapting to the increased weight of the vehicles and to safety and comfort parameters.

The great advantage of the train is the low friction between the wheel and the rail, which enables large loads to be pulled with a reduced force, as long as the maximum slopes do not exceed 3.5 mm. The first rails were made of iron and often broke. Starting in 1870, the first steel rails were introduced; they are highly resistant and do not experience much erosion. The Spanish railway adopted the vignole model (called after the English engineer that designed it).

At the end of the track where the heavy machinery is located, there is a historic metallic bridge that was built for Pineda de Mar in 1868 by Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima. The wall in the background features an exhibition of different types of track signals that were used to regulate railway traffic. The end of this itinerary brings us to the “Puente de Pineda” (Pineda Bridge) train stop. On some Sundays and important dates, from this platform you can board a small diesel train or “dresina” (light rail vehicle) called “Huevo” (Egg), for a trip enabling you to experience the magic of the railway.