Perhaps a ghost of a train whistle still echoes here. This is the Antiga Estação Maruí. It stands as a silent witness to a bygone era of Rio de Janeiro’s railway history. Today we will delve into the story of this station. We will uncover its origins and its eventual decline.
The Antiga Estação Maruí first opened its doors in 1871. It was initially part of the Cia Ferro-Carril Niteroiense. This company was later absorbed by the Estrada de Ferro Leopoldina in 1887. Maruí station was once a vital hub. It connected Niterói to various destinations. These destinations included Campos and Vitória. Passengers traveling from Rio de Janeiro would take boats to Niterói. From there they would board trains at Maruí.
Until 1926 Antiga Estação Maruí served as the primary departure point. This was for trains heading towards Campos and Vitória. To reach it from Rio de Janeiro people took ferries to Niterói. The construction of the General Dutra station led to a decrease in traffic.
The current building dates back to 1910. The station operated until 1930. It was then replaced by the new Niterói station. For a time the new station was called General Dutra. It was located about one and a half kilometers away.
Interestingly even after the opening of General Dutra many people still preferred taking boats. They did this to shorten their travel time. This was especially true for those traveling from Barão de Mauá. They needed to connect to the coastal line. The two lines met at Visconde de Itaboraí station. The train route from Rio required a detour. This detour went around two-thirds of Guanabara Bay.
The line was extended from Antiga Estação Maruí. It went around the bay to the new station. It is unclear whether Maruí continued to serve trains from General Dutra between 1930 and 1970. It seems the old station became an administrative center for the line. Several offices were located there.
In 1973 the construction of the Rio-Niterói bridge led to the dismantling. This dismantling affected a 1.5 km stretch of the line. It ran between Santana do Maruí and General Dutra stations. Only the old General Dutra station building remained. It was transferred to the administration of the Dock Company of Rio de Janeiro.
With the decommissioning of General Dutra station Antiga Estação Maruí regained importance. It served as a terminal for suburban trains. These trains were operated by Central. Central was the successor to Flumitrens.
The station’s name became a point of confusion. Its name was not displayed on its facade. It was also absent from any point on its dark platform. Though called Maruí it was also referred to as Niterói Barreto or Santana. These were the names of nearby neighborhoods.
A report from 1999 described Niterói station as being in ruins. It had no benches signage ticket offices or businesses. Until 2007 the station remained abandoned and vandalized. Despite this suburban trains without a fixed schedule still operated there. A report from February 19 2003 highlighted the neglect. The 33-kilometer railway branch Niterói-Visconde de Itaboraí was administered by Central. It was of no interest to concessionaires. Parts of the old tracks from the listed station to Guaxindiba were to be transformed into the modern Line 3 of the metro.
In early 2007 this train service stopped operating. By this time Antiga Estação Maruí also known as Leopoldina had been in ruins for many years. In 2021 the station area had undergone a process of favelization.
Published news indicates the Maruí station got a new building in 1910. This happened with the opening of the Leopoldina line between Niterói and Vitória. Passenger trains stopped at this station from 1871 to 2007.
Today as we stand here before the remains of Antiga Estação Maruí we remember its past. We recognize its role in connecting communities. The station once played a vital role. It facilitated trade and travel. It linked Niterói to the wider region. Though now silent and faded the Antiga Estação Maruí remains a testament. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Brazil’s railway heritage.