The railways in the Northeast: an analysis of the urban railway Network formed by the Great Western of Brazil Railway Company Limited (1881-1948)

Abstract

The railways initiated many transformations in the intra-urban space, since, in addition to the railway line, other equipment was needed for its operation and logistics. The changes also occurred in the interurban space, as the railway modified the centrality of the cities, restructuring the urban-regional network. This article aims to analyze the urban railway network formed by the Great Western of Brazil Railway Company Limited, which managed the railroads of the Brazilian Northeast in the first half of the 20th century. The analysis is based on the revenues of the railway stations of the railways that make up the referred network, the condition of the condition of track bumpers and the junctions of some cities on the railway lines. Thus, the research addresses the Urban Historical Geography according to temporal demarcation (1881-1948) and analysis conduction with emphasis on the following documental sources: Anuário Estatístico do Brasil (1908-1912, v. I, Território e População), Coleção das leis do Império e da República dos Estados Unidos do Brasil (1902), Cartografia história (1904), Relatórios do Ministério da Indústria, Viação e Obras Públicas (1902, 1907, 1910 e 1915), Relatórios do Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas (1899, 1901, 1902, 1908, 1909 – v. II e III – e 1910), as well as the synopses of the censuses of the years 1890 and 1900. The results indicate, based on the analysis of the revenues of the railway stations, that the condition of Ponta de Trilhos and railway junction changed the centrality of most cities that made up the railway network.