The process has begun to declare the Capdella train, at an altitude of 2,000 metres, a cultural asset of national interest

• This involves the diesel locomotive and wagon that operated between 1951 and 1990 to transport materials from the interconnection works for the lakes in the upper basin of the Capdella Valley
• This equipment, which is part of the project for the Museu Hidroelèctric de Capdella museum, is actually located outside the Hydroelectric Plant
• and is the property of the Endesa Foundation, which ceded it to the Town Council 12 years ago 
• The Capdella Train, popularly known as 'La Rubia', and its possible declaration as a Cultural Asset of National Interest, highlight the importance of the history of hydroelectric plants in the social, economic and historical development of the Vall Fosca 

The General Directorate for Heritage in the Generalitat (Regional Government of Catalonia) has launched a process to declare the Capdella Train, a small railway at an altitude of 2,000, a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN in Spanish). Unrelated to the candidacy, the Train, consisting of a diesel locomotive and a wagon, continues outside the Capdella Hydroelectric Plant, where it can be visited, and it is part of the Museu Hidroelèctric de Capdella museum project. The equipment, property of the Endesa Foundation (which ceded it to the City Council for the museum project in 2010), worked between 1951 and 1990 to transport the necessary materials for the interconnection works for lakes in the upper basin of the Capdella Valley. Now, the proposal for it to become a Cultural Asset of National Interest highlights once again points to the importance of the history of hydroelectric power plants in the social and economic development of the Vall Fosca, both in the past and in the present. 

But the history of the Capdella Train actually dates back to 1911. At that time there were no diesel engines, and the Train consisted of platforms pulled by mules that ran along a 60 centimetre-gauge track (Decauville type) that ran from the Cabo de la Sierra water deposit, the end point of the cable railway, to the Estany Gento. A route of almost 5 kilometres that ran above the channel that carried the water more than one and a half metres underground to avoid freezing in winter. In 1951 it was replaced by a wagon with a diesel locomotive to transport the people who maintained the installations and it worked until 1990, when the Sallente-Estany Gento cable car was put into service.

And why was it called 'La Rubia'? Well, because originally, the wagon was pale yellow, which reminded the technicians and visitors of wooden taxis in the city of Barcelona, and because of the similarity they began to call it 'La Rubia' (The Blonde), a name that always remained.

It is currently exhibited in the outer enclosure of the Museu Hidroelèctric de Capdella, inside the hydroelectric plant, and it can be visited. It is part of the exhibits dedicated to

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the transport systems, and the display also includes the cable that went up to the water deposit and the wagons that it pulled.

The Museu Hidroelèctric de Capdella explains all the transport systems that were used to take materials, machinery and people to the Vall Fosca, the ponds and the lakes. In the museum's outer enclosure next to the hydroelectric plant, there is an area dedicated to transport, where 'La Rubia' is displayed together with the cable car and the wagons that ran along the track to Estany Gento.

In this context, and aware of the value of heritage in the history of the territory and always willing to share it, in 2010 the Endesa Foundation signed an agreement with the Town Council of Capdella for the transfer of this equipment, together with other articles, for them to be included in the museum project. Endesa and its Foundation, through the Historical Fund, ensure the preservation and dissemination of the Company's technological heritage and its history.

About the Endesa Foundation

The main aim of the Endesa Foundation, chaired by Juan Sánchez-Calero, is to contribute to social development through projects based on education, training for employment, biodiversity, cultural aspects and volunteering.

Endesa Foundation's projects promote the appreciation and conservation of our past through common historical heritage and foster the present and future of our society through innovation and close collaboration with other third sector entities. With more than 20 years' experience, the Endesa Foundation helps provide visibility for the talent of the most vulnerable groups and sensitivity towards their demands in order to progress towards a society with more opportunities for everyone.  #iluminamostalento

More information on www.fundacionendesa.org