Jordan 20.9.2008: The Hedjaz Railway makes an uninterrupted climb of 7.25 miles(11.6kms), through the crowded southern suburbs of Amman, from Amman station to Qasir, on an average gradient of 1 in 57 (1.75%). The line is hardly ever straight, with numerous, often sharp, un-compensated curves, crossing many roads, including busy dual-carriageways, only one of which is gated, so the locomotive’s two whistles are sounding almost continuously. Therefore, the locomotive has to work very hard, even with such a lightweight train, before reaching a small respite, 10kms from Amman station – the straight and almost level, transit of Amman Viaduct. That classic location is seen here with 2-8-2 No. 23 (RSH 7433/1952), laying a smokescreen which nearly obscures the new “Mega Mall” in the distance. Amman Viaduct comprises ten 25 foot (7.6m) wide, masonry arches, with central supporting arches; the railway line is carried 65 feet (19.7m) above the roadway below.
Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com