The Madrid, Zaragoza and Alicante railway (MZA) - also known in Spanish as Compañía de los ferrocarriles de Madrid a Zaragoza y a Alicante - was a Spanish railway company founded in 1856 that became one of the most important companies in the railway sector, along with its great rival, the Compañía de los Caminos de Hierro del Norte de España (known simply as "Norte".)
The rivalry between MZA and Norte stemmed from competing financial families at the time, namely the Rothschilds and Pereires. MZA rapidly expanded its railway concessions to encompass key routes in Extremadura, New Castile, Andalusia, and Levante, thereby gaining control of a significant market. MZA also constructed Atocha Station in Madrid, del Carmen Station in Murcia, Campo Sepulcro (later El Portillo Station) in Zaragoza, and Plaza de Armas Station in Seville, which is also recognized as Cordoba Station and presently transformed into a shopping center.
At the turn of the 20th century, MZA reached its operational peak, but soon after, the company was hit by crisis. The Spanish Civil War marked the end for MZA, as the company was condemned when the Spanish State nationalized all broad gauge railways in 1941. As a result, MZA ceased to exist.
Basic chronology
On December 31, 1856, the Compañía de los Ferrocarriles de Madrid a Zaragoza y Alicante was founded by José de Salamanca Mayol, the representatives of the Rothschilds in Spain, etc. On May 16, 1863, the Madrid to Zaragoza Railway, which started in 1858, was finished, concluding the construction of rail lines during that era. On April 25, 1865, the Albacete to Murcia and Cartagena railway line was inaugurated, marking the second railway line in the Spanish Levant. On October 5, 1875, the Cordoba-Seville Railway was acquired, allowing for domination of the Guadalquivir valley and control over one of Spain's most important lines. This acquisition fulfilled one of the company's aspirations since the 1860s. On April 8, 1880, the Madrid-Ciudad Real-Badajoz Railway annexation introduced a new railway track to Ciudad Real and provided a connection to Extremadura and a route to Portugal. On January 16, 1885, the Mérida-Seville Railway was opened, signaling the conclusion of the expansion in the Extremadura region and connecting it with the Andalusian lines that had already been under control for some time. On December 8, 1892, the renovation of Atocha Station was completed, making it the main station of MZA and one of the most important in the country. On January 1, 1898, the merger of MZA and TBF became effective, as per the agreement signed several years earlier. The Madrid-Zaragoza-Alicante Company expanded its network in Catalonia and acquired significant railway traffic. The company's growth period ended with this merger. In 1925, the Catalan Network was definitively integrated into the MZA structure. In 1929, MZA inaugurated the Barcelona Terminus Station, its last major project before experiencing decline. On August 3, 1936, the Republican government nationalized the railway network it controlled during the Spanish Civil War. Consequently, the MZA was absorbed by the Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles in the area loyal to the Second Republic. Directors and managers who escaped to the rebel zone attempted to regain their previous power, but the military ultimately managed all aspects of the railway. Much of MZA's material and infrastructure were severely damaged and destroyed during the war. On July 1, 1941, the MZA Company ceased to exist, and its entire network, facilities, and rolling stock were incorporated into the newly established RENFE.
Background
The company's origins can be traced back to the Madrid-Alicante railway concession, which originally belonged to the Compañía de Camino de Hierro de María Cristina, a company in which the Crown was involved, although at the time it was only an idea. Construction of this railway was in three stages, beginning with the inauguration of the Madrid-Aranjuez line in 1851 and its subsequent extension to Almansa and later to Alicante. José de Salamanca Mayol, who would become a prominent Spanish businessman in the 19th century, was involved in this construction project. With control over the completed line in 1856, the Marquis of Salamanca connected with wealthy French businessmen already invested in the railway industry in Spain.