The Carrilet, the old railroad that connected Reus and Salou, is an emblem of the past of Costa Dorada, a region marked by its economic and touristic evolution over the centuries. This train not only carried passengers but was a link between the agricultural hinterland of Reus and the port of Salou, uniting landscapes and cultures.
The Carrilet was part of the daily life of many residents and travelers, leaving indelible traces in the collective memory. Currently, although the train no longer travels through these landscapes, its history is still alive as a reflection of progress and a golden age that transformed the Costa Dorada into the tourist destination it is today.
If you want to know the past of this old railroad in depth, we encourage you to continue reading this article. In addition, if you visit Salou or Reus, with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, you can reach these towns from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station. Remember that you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
Its inauguration and the first decades of operation
The Carrilet Reus-Salou was inaugurated on June 23, 1887, as an important project to connect Reus, a commercial and industrial center, with Salou, a coastal town in full tourist boom. This idea dates back a century, when there was already talk of creating a navigable canal between the two municipalities, whose works were abandoned with the arrival of the Peninsular War in 1808.
It should also be noted that, in the mid-19th century, other railway lines were put into operation, such as the Reus – Tarragona line, inaugurated in 1856, and connections were created with other towns, such as Montblanc, Alcover, Lleida, Barcelona and Falset, among others.
The Compañía Reusense de Tranvías (CRT) finally received the concession for the construction of the track from Reus to Salou, an element that was key to the economic development of the area, allowing not only the transport of agricultural goods and products of the textile industry of Reus, but also passengers seeking to enjoy the beaches of the Costa Dorada.
During the first decades of its operation, the Carrilet became an essential part of the communications between the two towns. The train covered a route of about 10 kilometers, facilitating access to the sea for the people of Reus and promoting the tourist growth of Salou, which was beginning to consolidate itself as a holiday destination.
During these first decades, the railroad became part of the daily life of the inhabitants and visitors of the region, symbolizing the progress and modernization of Costa Dorada. This train not only represented a means of transportation, but also a link between urban life and the growing popularity of the Mediterranean coast, especially during the summer season.
Remember that with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, you can get to Salou and Reus, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station.
Evolution of Carrilet Reus – Salou
Over the years, the Carrilet Reus-Salou underwent several modernizations to adapt to new transport needs. One of the most significant ones was the introduction of diesel railcars in the 1950s, which replaced the old steam locomotives. These new railcars offered a faster and more efficient service, increasing both passenger and freight capacity, which further boosted the connection between Reus and Salou. This change improved punctuality and reduced the railroad’s operating costs.
The closure of the Carrilet came in 1975, after almost 90 years of service, due to changes in the demand for transport and the rise of the automobile. As roads improved and cars became more accessible, the railroad lost relevance to other faster and more flexible means of transport.
Salou, a tourist destination
The construction of the Carrilet Reus-Salou was fundamental for the tourist development of Salou, transforming this small coastal town into an increasingly popular holiday destination. With direct access to the train, every year more and more tourists came to enjoy its beaches.
As the flow of visitors grew, Salou developed urbanistically, with new buildings offering a summer retreat for the wealthier classes from Reus and other nearby towns.
The streets closer to the beach were filled with elegant homes, which stood out for their modernist style, such as the Chalet Bonet, designed in the early 20th century by the architect Domènech Sugranyes i Gras, a disciple of Antoni Gaudí. The construction of this house was promoted by the textile businessman Cirac Bonet i Escarrer, a lover of Salou’s beach.
Other homes that you can find if you visit the tourism capital of Costa Dorada, which remind us of that time of splendor, are Villa Enriqueta, of the Pellicer – Querol family; the Chalet Mallorquí, or de l’Alemana, of colonial style; the Xalet Torremar or Recasens, work of Josep Simó Bofarull, which is currently the Tourist Board; and the Xalet Miarnau Navàs, whose facade stands out for the reproduction of the Virgin of La Pineda.
All these buildings are the legacy of the spectacular growth experienced by this fishing town, following the construction of the Carrilet, which promoted the creation of a summer community which, in turn, boosted the local economy and consolidated Salou as one of the most important tourist destinations on Costa Dorada.
The Prim locomotive, in the old station of Salou
One of the most emblematic relics of the old Carrilet Reus-Salou is the Prim locomotive, which is currently on display next to the old Carrilet station in Salou. This historic train, which for decades connected Reus with the growing coastal town, is now a symbol of the region’s railway past.
Get to know, first hand, this old locomotive! Travel to Salou with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Remember that you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
