The Partial Transit System. A Medium-Scale Analysis of the Efficiency of the Spanish Railway Network in the 19th Century

Abstract

In the mid-19th century, some engineers argued that railway lines should not only connect important points or markets, but also nearby intermediate centres in order to attract more traffic. This vision, known as the 'partial transit system', had a significant influence on the design of the Spanish railway network. This article assesses its effectiveness through a case study of the Madrid–Irun line in 1870, drawing on historical data on traffic, population and distances, as well as spatial analysis tools and gravity models. The results show that along much of the route—particularly in sparsely populated areas—the diversions attracted little traffic and unnecessarily lengthened journeys. Only in more densely populated areas, such as the Basque Country, did the detours generate significant demand. These findings suggest that partial transit, while effective in more densely populated countries, may have been an unsuitable strategy for much of Spain.