The mining train of Los Alcázares

A steam locomotive from the coal mines of Asturias has found its way to the beach resort of Los Narejos!

In the heart of the tourist residential area of Los Narejos, at the northern end of the town of Los Alcázares, on a roundabout in the middle of Avenida Europa, stands a 1914 Borsing locomotive which was used over a century ago to transport coal mined in the Carrio de Laviana pit, in the northern Spanish region of Asturias, along the valley of the River Nalón.

But why is a 110-year-old industrial steam locomotive placed on a roundabout in a beach resort on the shore of Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon?

The answer lies in the name given to the engine, the “Marqués de Bolarque” after its owner, the Marquis of Bolarque and a member of the Urquijo family – he also founded the bank of the same name after opening offices in Madrid and Barcelona apart from the original headquarters of his business interests in Gijón. The engine remained in service for an amazing 70 years, transporting coal from the pits to the washing down facilities, before it was retired and brought to the “Montepío” area of Los Alcázares.

Here it is awarded pride of place as a tribute to the numerous natives of Asturias who came to Los Alcázares either after their retirement or beforehand, on summer holidays – or both, in many cases – and who helped shape the identity of Los Narejos.

In some ways, before the arrival of north Europeans, Los Narejos was a kind of outpost of Asturias!

For more local information contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares or go to the home page of Los Alcázares Today.