Hejaz Railway today (2nd March)

I'm in Amman, in Jordan, for three days to speak at a European Commission seminar on Road Public Transport Safety.
The Director General of the Public Transport Regulatory Commission arranged for me to have a private visit to the Hejaz Railway station this morning.

When I arrived, I was greeted by the Railway Director General, Major General Mahmoud Al-Khazaleh. He spent over an hour with me in his office and explained all about the Railway, its history, its current status and its future plans.
He then instructed his PR team to give me a guided tour of the site. This was an "Access all areas" tour. Shed; Workshop; Station; Locos; Cabs; Rolling Stock; Royal Train; Museum; Stores; etc. etc.

It was fascinating to see piles of old spares (rivets/bolts and even a spare cylinder casting) that had been gathering dust in the stores since the 1950s.

I couldn't believe how lucky I was - and I didn't even pay to get here!

Here are some of the shots.

RSH 2-8-2 having new boiler tubes fitted in the workshop
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63538448.html

Japanese built 2-8-2 no 82 and 1956 German built 2-8-2 no. 51 inside the workshop
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63538101.html

2-8-2 no 51 built in Germany in 1955 in the back of the shed
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63539363.html

Belgian-built 2-6-2T no. 61 in the workshop
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63538100.html

Belgian-built 2-8-2 no.71
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63538903.html

Unservicable Belgian-built 2-8-2 no.72
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63541400.html

Japanese built 2-8-2 no 82 and 1956 German built 2-8-2 no. 51 inside the workshop
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63538101.html

An anonymous RSH 2-8-2 on a disconnected piece of track
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63541429.html

An anonymous Belgian 2-6-2T plinthed
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63542170.html

Another shot of 72
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63541401.html

Japanes-built 4-6-2 no.85 outside the shed
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63542898.html

The hand-operated turntable
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63542140.html

The water column
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63542144.html

Old fashioned modern carriages built on old tank wagon underframes
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63542143.html

Inside the royal saloon
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63541430.html

An unusual use for a Land Rover
http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63543066.html

I'll probably upload more as time goes by.

If you've never been, it's a great place. They asked me to help promote the Railway to tourists when I get back to UK. So guys, get out there if you can, it's really brilliant.

 

Some excellent photos there Graham and thanks for sharing them. It looks an excellent place to visit and good luck to them in promoting it as a tourist destination.

Neil.

 

Thanks, Graham - what a timely post.

As it happens I'm in Amman at the end of next week (Saturday to be precise) and hope to get down to the station while I'm there. Will I be allowed to look around or do I need to get authority first?

I understand that the railway only operates for tourist specials these days. Was there any indication when the next train would run?

Thanks again for posting.

Peter James

 

Apparently they run infrequent freights (with diesels). They run short tourist trips every Friday and Saturday. Again, this is with diesels. The steam is only used by appointment with tour operators.
You should be able to get a look around, but it might be helpful to give them some advanced warning.

If you pm me, I can send you the e-mail address of the nice young lady who is head of PR. I guess she would then make a visit possible.