Picturesque image of the railway employee at the approximate height of Casanova and Aragó streets; She categorically and indisputably exhibits with authority the object that gives her recognized command, at least as far as the strict territory of the train barrier is concerned. It was not a banal responsibility, since she could avoid accidents. We are around 1900.
It was the consequence of a major problem that had been raised when it was decided that the necessary concentration of train lines would materialize along Aragó street. Between the option of establishing a circulation on the surface or through an open-air trench, fortunately the latter was chosen thanks to the mediation well exercised by José de Echegaray and not by virtue of being alas! Nobel Prize winner, but a civil engineer for roads, canals and ports. In 1882 this railway circulation along Aragó street was inaugurated.
At the approximate height of Casanova street, that enormous excavated trench rose gently and shortly after the line of tracks began to run onwards along the surface in the direction of Sants, slightly diverted towards what would later be Roma avenue. It became necessary to place a barrier there to order and give security to the vertical passage.
Hence also the construction of the popularly called Pont del Mico and for the exclusive use of pedestrians, which was first made of wood and then improved with a concrete structure and comfortable access stairs. This novelty favored the connection with the Ninot neighborhood and its popular market.
Surely as the train passed by the employee’s booth she was observed with curiosity by the most observant travelers, as it was the only notable novelty of such a monotonous journey.
This photograph reminds me of something similar, although much more amusing, that happened to the gatekeeper of the Montserrat rack railway, Joan Jorba, after the uncivil war. It occurred to him to attract the attention of the passengers by means of two small and funny stray dogs, who not only wore a funny costume, but also waved with their front paws raised. The nice occurrence was immediately rewarded by throwing change.
