Background

The Bidasoa railway, better known as the “Tren Txikito” (small train), started its days in 1898 as a mining line between Irún and Endarlaza. At the beginning it mainly transported minerals, but it gradually expanded its services to wood, coal, iron and even livestock. In 1916 the line was extended to Elizondo and was opened to the public, servicing passengers bewteen Irún and Elizondo. This represented a major change in the lives of the people of the Baztán-Bidasoa region where the train ran.