Montecara Pòrta Conìxia railway station

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Montecara Porta Conìxia
The front facade of the station
LocationPlàça Conìxia 1
 Montecara
Owned byState of Montecara
Operated byTrenalia
Platforms20
Tracks10
Train operatorsTrenalia
VM
Bus operatorsVM
ConnectionsVM
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
Bicycle facilitiesRental and secure parking
Disabled accessYes
Other information
Station codeMTC
Websitestaxion.trenalia.co/mtc
History
Opened16 April 1870; 154 years ago (1870-04-16)
Services
Preceding station   Trenalia   Following station
TerminusTemplate:Trenalia lines
TerminusTemplate:Trenalia lines
TerminusTemplate:Trenalia lines
TerminusTemplate:Trenalia lines

Montecara Porta Conìxia railway station (Montecaran: Staxiòn de Montecara Porta Conìxia) is the principal rail terminal in Montecara, serving nearly 15 million passengers per year.

History

The station under construction, 1864

The idea of a fixed link between Montecara and the outside world was centuries, if not millennia, in the making. Prior to 1869, there had never been a permanent bridge of any sort connecting Montecara with mainland Conitia, so travelers had forever relied on boats to reach the outside world. Traveling within the city-state also proved difficult; there were local steam trains and horse-drawn trams before the station and bridge were opened, but there was previously no inter-city or long-distance rail service. In the era before iron and steel construction, the distance between Montecara and the mainland meant that there was no practical solution for a permanent transport link. But by the mid-19th century, engineering technology had improved to the point that Montecarans' hopes might finally be fulfilled.

By the 1860s, rail travel had become not only practical but also fashionable. Trains were comfortable and reliable thanks to the development of improved steam engines and sleeping wagons, and the standardization of the 1500mm Aininian gauge for international rail services in Conitia had made long-distance journeys possible. Leaders in the Senate and Colegio had called for a rail connection with the mainland since the 1850s, and in 1865 the decision was made to build a rail bridge and grand station that would at last provide a permanent fixed link between Montecara and the outside world. Ground broke on the station in the same year, and construction of the bridge and station proceeded concurrently for the next four years. The bridge, the Pont da Ùnita, was completed in 1869, but construction delays meant that the station was not ready for service until the following year. Finally, on 16 April 1870, Montecara's national day, the station opened as the new central hub for long-distance rail to and from the city-state.

Expectations were, if anything, greatly exceeded. The station allowed Montecara to become a popular tourist destination for travelers from across southeast Conitia. Its development enabled the debut of the casino at ià Bàgna in 1876 and was a key factor in establishing Montecara as a destination synonymous with luxury and pleasure-seeking.

An Iridia train at Porta Conìxia

Facilities

Entrance to the ticketed area
  • Aiga baggagecheck in inv.svg Baggage drop-off
  • Aiga baggagelockers inverse.svg Baggage lockers
  • Aiga bar inv.svg Bar
  • Aiga coffeeshop inv.svg Café
  • 03 currencyexchange inv.svg Currency exchange
  • Aiga customs inv.svg Customs
  • Pictograms-nps-first aid-2.svg First-aid station
  • Aiga lostandfound inv.svg Lost and found
  • Pictograms-nps-post office-2.svg Post office
  • Aiga restaurant inv.svg Restaurant
  • Aiga shops inv.svg Shops
  • Aiga ticketpurchase inv.svg Ticket counter
  • Feature ticket office inv 2.svg Ticket machines
  • Aiga toilets inv.svg Toilets
  • Aiga waitingroom inv.svg Waiting room