The Great Southern of Spain Railway
Almeria is still a largely unknown part of Spain. It has a wild, often barren landscape, spectacular mountains, and wonderful unspoilt beaches. It also contains a wealth of industrial archaeology, much of it with British roots.
The Great Southern of Spain Railway - the GSSR - was primarily a goods enterprise. It was built at the end of the 19th century to move iron ore, marble and esparto grass down to the coast at Aguilas. It collapsed amidst the chaos of the Spanish Civil War.
The story of the GSSR is a fascinating one, of intrigue, legal battles, hopes raised and dashed, and even some success, set against a turbulent political background that eventually destroyed the company. Don Gaunt has researched the history of the GSSR, and his book tells the story of the line from its complicated and troublesome beginnings to its violent end.
Visitors to Almeria are likely to stay in resorts such as Mojacar or Roquetas and will want to see more than just what remains of the GSSR, so the book includes a description of the province and its major attractions, with special reference to industrial archaeology. In particular it describes how the mining and esparto industries connected with the railway, and what now remains of them.
This 205-page book is printed on high-quality paper and includes a wealth of photographs and diagrams. For more information, or for details of how to purchase a copy, please contact Don Gaunt by email from his site at
