The narrow-gauge railway line Šumber–Plomin Porat, built in 1925, was one of the most important infrastructure projects on the Labin area during the period of intensive bauxite exploitation between the two World Wars, while the region was under Italian administration. The railway was officially opened for traffic on July 20, 1925. The investment was secured by a joint-stock company for the exploitation and processing of bauxite from Trieste, while the construction works were carried out by the Trieste-based company Grebatz Forti. At that time, bauxite in the Labin area was mined by the company Aluminium from Trieste. These details highlight the significance of the bauxite industry for the economic development of the Labin area in the first half of the 20th century. The construction of the railway, financed by Trieste investors, underscores the key role that foreign investors played in regional development. Additionally, these details speak to the connection between industry and infrastructure, as the railway was essential for the transportation of bauxite, which was crucial for the local economy. All of this attests to the intense industrialization of the region, driven by the interests of the bauxite industry, particularly the Trieste companies.
The main advantage of narrow-gauge railways is their lower construction and maintenance costs compared to standard railways, making them suitable for areas with difficult terrain, such as mountains, narrow valleys, or mining regions. Narrow-gauge railways were often used in industry, mines, and forests, where transportation needs were specific, and standard railways would not have been economically viable. During the 19th and 20th centuries, narrow-gauge railways were key in connecting remote and inaccessible areas and were often used for transporting goods such as ores and timber, as well as for local passenger traffic.
This bauxite railway, approximately 15 kilometers long, was of great importance for transporting bauxite from rich deposits located around Vetva, Sv. Martin, and Šumber towards the coast, where the ore was loaded onto ships for further transport by sea.
The starting point of the railway was located in the part of Šumber known as Martinačić, from where the railway passed through Stepčići and ended in the Plomin Bay, specifically in Plomin Porat. Here, the bauxite was loaded onto ships and transported to Italian refineries for further processing. This railway represented a vital link between the mining areas and sea routes, enabling efficient transport of heavy ore through the hilly terrain of Istria.
The railway was narrow-gauge, meaning that the track width was smaller than the standard width (which is usually 1435 mm). Narrow-gauge railways at that time often had a track width between 600 mm and 1000 mm. Such a configuration allowed easier navigation through narrow and winding paths across hilly terrain, as was the case in this part of Istria.
Narrow-gauge railways, like this one, were common in the first half of the 20th century because they enabled the construction of railway lines in demanding geographical conditions, with relatively low costs. The track width of this railway was smaller than standard, allowing easier adaptation to the winding and steep terrain of the Labin area.
After World War II, changes in national borders and economic priorities led to a decline in the importance of bauxite exploitation in the area. Consequently, the narrow-gauge railway Šumber-Plomin Porat lost its strategic importance. The dismantling of the railway and its associated infrastructure began shortly after World War II, and over time, the last traces of this railway disappeared from the landscape.
Although there are almost no physical remnants of the railway today, it remains an important part of local history and the memory of the residents. The dock in Plomin Bay still serves as a reminder of that era, while the railway itself has become part of the rich industrial heritage of Labin, a testament to the time when this area was one of the most important mining regions in the region.
The route of the railway is very attractive from a landscape perspective. The area where the railway once ran is now home to the Drijade Farm, which places special emphasis on preserving the karst terrain that surrounds it. Along the trail, one can observe cuts in the rocks where the railway once passed, embankments where stones are almost perfectly stacked, and a large number of natural rock sculptures that make this area special.